Wellington, 08 October (H.S.): Former New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter BJ Watling is set to succeed Luke Ronchi as the Blackcaps’ batting coach following New Zealand’s ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 Test series against India, scheduled to begin in early December.

According to New Zealand Cricket, Watling will join the team’s support staff on November 16 and work alongside Ronchi during the transition period.

Watling will then formally assume the role of batting coach when New Zealand travel to Australia for a four-Test series.

Watling brings extensive international cricket experience to the role. He played 75 Tests for New Zealand, scoring 3,790 runs, including eight centuries and 19 half-centuries. Nearly 3,400 of his Test runs came while he was playing as a wicketkeeper, the most by any New Zealand player in that role.

Behind the stumps, Watling recorded 265 dismissals, a New Zealand national record. Before retiring from international cricket in 2021, he was part of the New Zealand side that defeated India to win the inaugural ICC World Test Championship title.

Expressing his excitement about taking up the new role, Watling described the opportunity to work with the current New Zealand squad as a special one. He praised the achievements of the team and support staff in recent years and said he was looking forward to contributing to a world-class side.

“I’m extremely excited. Coming back into the team and working with the current group of players is a special opportunity, and I don’t take it lightly. What this team and support staff have achieved together over the past few years has been outstanding, so I’m looking forward to contributing to a world-class team,” Watling said, according to New Zealand Cricket.

New Zealand Test captain Tom Latham also praised Watling’s work ethic and determination, saying he expected the former wicketkeeper-batter’s approach as a player to be reflected in his coaching.

“BJ was a player who showed what it really means to be part of the Blackcaps, so having someone like him back with the team will be fantastic for our environment. There was never any doubt about his effort and determination every time he took the field, and I’m sure that same attitude will come through in his coaching,” Latham said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar