Hopkins likely to move to Auckland

Brendon McCullum's decision to return to Otago could see incumbent wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins switch over to Auckland.

After talks with Hopkins, Otago cricket chief executive Ross Dykes hinted that changed personal circumstances could prompt a move to Auckland. "He's recently married and his wife lives and works in Auckland," Dykes told Radio Sport. "He's had to commute down here for the last couple of years and now that he has a national contract it would perhaps be easier for him to play his cricket closer to home and closer to his wife."

Players with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) contracts had until June 15 to decide which province they would play for next summer but Hopkins was granted a week's extension to decide on his future.

"We're hopeful he will sign for Otago for next season but it's not cast in stone," Dykes said. "He's been a hugely valuable player to us for the last three-four years and we would hate to lose him. We see no lack of opportunity for him down here but we do have to be mindful of his personal circumstances."

Hopkins was called up for New Zealand's tour England in 2004 as wicketkeeping cover for McCullum, and on that tour he made five ODI appearances. He has 98 dismissals in 25 first-class matches for Otago since 2003, and is widely regarded as New Zealand's second-best wicketkeeper after he was handed an NZC contract. Dykes said Hopkins would get plenty of games if he remained with Otago, as McCullum will probably feature in New Zealand's home series against England and Bangladesh next season.

But even if McCullum plays in only a handful of Otago's one-day and Twenty20 games, Dykes said Hopkins, who he termed the side's most valuable player in terms of performance, will be the preferred wicketkeeper.