Cricket more often than not give you the romantic stories where you can fall in love with a player for their craft and their skill, but very seldom does it give the story of a gritty fighter who loves to take on all comers and fight the situation and the circumstances. Grit in cricket is often looked at in a way where a batsman or the bowler can fight the odds and stare back in the face of adversity and bail is team out of trouble. The story of BJ Watling runs along the same lines as the New Zealand wicket keeper might not have made a lot of heads turn but only the test match fans and kiwi supporters know the service he has given to the black caps which can be termed selfless and whole hearted for his team’s cause.
A gritty batsman and a total team man –
It was the second test match at the basin reserve ground between India and New Zealand. The kiwis had been dismissed for 192 in the first dig and India had scored 438 in their first innings to take a huge lead of 246 in the second innings Zaheer Khan had NZ reeling at 94 for 5 that’s when BJ Watling walked into bat to give skipper McCullum Company. For the next 123 overs the Indian team had no answers to the stoic defence of Watling or the marauding blade of McCullum as Watling helped his skipper to register New Zealand’s first ever triple century in test cricket. Watling battled for a 367 ball 124 with 13 hits to the fence and give New Zealand a huge lead to put the game behind India’s reach. While many applauded the innings played by Brendon McCullum it was the rearguard by Watling which put the Indian bowlers out to dry as none of the bowlers had any answers to the partnership.
BJ Watling in numbers –
BJ Watling has played 73 test matches and scored over 3700 runs with 8 centuries and 19 half centuries. He made his debut for NZ in 2009 against Pakistan and for the next dozen years was a loyal servant for the black caps. In the 73 test matches he has 267 dismissals to his credit with 259 catches and 8 stumpings. He wasn’t a white ball specialist and that is evident from his numbers as he played only 28 ODI games scoring 573 runs with a best of 96 not out with 5 half centuries while he played 5 T20 games with negligible returns.
BJ Watling on his retirement–
Earlier today the 36 year old Kiwi wicket keeper batsman decided to hang up his gloves post the tour of England with his last match slated to be the prestigious World Test Championship against India. Speaking about his retirement Watling said “I know the standards required to keep going at this game and the level and to be honest it’s tougher now with a little family at home. Things are busy. Actually no, the body feels surprisingly good. A few years ago I would have said my body is going to play up and that will be it, but actually, I’m feeling quiet fresh in the body. I think there are a few other factors and spending some time at home will be the main thing”
The special memory he takes with him –
BJ Watling scored a career best 205 against the English and stitched a 261 run stand with Mitchell Santner which he claims will be the most cherished moment for him in his life. Speaking to a leading cricket website he said “I remember the partnership with Mitchell Santner. It was his maiden century and a fantastic innings. We dug deep to get a bit of a total and give ourselves a chance of winning that test match. I think we were a bowler down as well, to do it on the final day – I’m not sure how many overs were left and Neil Wagner stepped up to the plate and did a fantastic job. So it was a special win”
The legacy he leaves behind –
BJ Watling will be a massive loss for New Zealand and Kane Williamson as he was an understated but reliable cricketer. Post his retirement the black caps caravan will move on but they would miss someone of the ilk of Watling who showed grit, determination and perseverance can still pay off in today’s cricket where glamour and glitz are the talk of the town. In his final words before his impending final tour BJ Watling said to lead cricket website ESPNCricinfo “Hopefully I’ve made some mates along the way, look forward to having beer with all of them. That’ll be something I miss. It was a couple of weeks ago that I told everyone. I think over a little period of time – [in] the last four to five months – I have realised that I my time is up. I would also like to finish on a massive high with a big tour.
Cricket will miss a warrior and a servant like BJ Watling whose story will long told for future generations to aspire to.