BJ Watling

A right-hand batter who was initially just a part-time wicketkeeper, Bradley-John Watling was born in Durban, South Africa, where he spent his early years. But Watling eventually finished as New Zealand's most successful wicketkeeper in Tests, apart from being part of the side that lifted the inaugural World Test Championship title in Southampton by beating India in 2021.

A crucial yet not-often-appreciated part of New Zealand's golden generation of cricketers, Watling's tally of 3398 runs (average of 39.05) and seven centuries while playing as wicketkeeper betters even that of Brendon McCullum. Only three wicketkeepers ended with more hundreds in the history of the format (two others have seven, too). Watling tally's of 257 catches behind the stumps is also by far the most for New Zealand, with Adam Parore's 194 in next.

Watling had moved to New Zealand as a ten-year-old, and was part of the Under-19 squad for the World Cup in Bangladesh in 2003-04 before making it to Northern Districts. He was the second-highest run-scorer for his state team in his third season (2006-07) with 564 runs at 37.60. Watling was in prime form during the one-day State Shield competition in 2008-09, with 509 runs at a stunning 63.62, and that helped him earn a place in the New Zealand one-day squad for the ODIs against Pakistan in the UAE.

In 2010, after McCullum decided to keep wicket only in ODIs, Watling emerged as the best long-term prospect for New Zealand in Tests, beating contenders like Gareth Hopkins, Reece Young and Kruger van Wyk. Between 2009 and 2012, he played only eight Tests - the first six as a specialist batter - before settling into the role of New Zealand's full-time wicketkeeper for the longer format in 2013.

Against India in February 2014, Watling and McCullum put together 352 runs in Wellington. Watling's 124 in that Test was his first century against a top-eight nation. On the tour of the West Indies, his battling 66 and 99-run partnership with Mark Craig delayed a West Indies win in Port of Spain. His efforts prompted McCullum to state that Watling was becoming one of his favourite cricketers.

Watling hardly attracted the limelight, even as he played in 67 of New Zealand's 75 Tests since 2013 until he retired in June 2021, all the while being patient yet adroit at the crease. He continued to grind out the runs, with his rescue acts from lower down in the middle order often frustrating the opposition; both of New Zealand's highest sixth-wicket stands involve Watling, as does their highest seventh-wicket partnership.

After that massive union with McCullum against India, came a New Zealand record 365* with Kane Williamson for the sixth wicket against Sri Lanka in Wellington in January 2015. Watling got to his fourth Test century during that partnership, finishing on 142*. Four months later, Watling hit twin half-centuries at Lord's, before his innings of 120 in Leeds gave New Zealand a series-levelling win against England.

Watling even showed his aggressive side when required. Against Australia in Christchurch in 2016, he smashed 58 at just better than a run a ball in another knock which ensured New Zealand were not out of the game yet. And when in Zimbabwe later that year, Watling hit 107 and 83* as New Zealand registered consecutive dominant wins.

Among other famous and yet hardly noticeable knocks from Watling included a 59 against Pakistan in the heat of Abu Dhabi in November 2018, as New Zealand scraped through by four runs. In the third Test of that tour, Watling occupied the crease for 250 deliveries to push and tick for 77*, setting the foundation for New Zealand's 2-1 series win, and the first away victory against Pakistan in 49 years.

Watling carried that form into 2019. His 77 against Sri Lanka in Galle meant Sri Lanka had to fight their way to a win, while a 105* in Colombo gave New Zealand an innings victory, with Watling ending as the Player of the Series.

His career-best of 205 came later that year, against England in Mount Maunganui. In May 2021, Watling announced that the upcoming England tour, including two against the hosts, and the WTC final against India, would be his last. But a back problem meant he had to sit out the second Test against England, although he eventually left the shores with five catches in the WTC final, and the winners' trophy.