Otago lure young wicketkeeper from Auckland

Brendon McCullum's decision started a chain reaction in New Zealand's wicketkeeping ranks © Getty Images Enlarge

New Zealand's wicketkeeping exchange has continued with Derek de Boorder moving from Auckland to Otago. The switch should mean de Boorder, 21, a former New Zealand Under-19 player, has a strong chance of making his first-class debut next season.

The merry-go-round began last month when Brendon McCullum announced he was returning to Otago after a four-year stint at Canterbury. That in turn led Gareth Hopkins, McCullum's back-up in the national side, to shift from Otago to Auckland to avoid a clash with McCullum. However, de Boorder would have then found himself behind Hopkins and Reece Young at Auckland.

His decision to sign with Otago means he will be a strong chance to fill in for McCullum when he is unavailable because of international duties. Last season, Otago used the opening batsman and occasional gloveman Shaun Haig as their reserve when Hopkins could not play.

At Auckland, de Boorder was only given one opportunity at senior level, in a one-day match in 2005-06. As well as playing in the national under-age side, he was chosen in the New Zealand Academy squad for the emerging players tournament in Brisbane in 2005.