Reece Young moves to Canterbury

Wicketkeeper Reece Young has switched to Canterbury for the next New Zealand domestic season after having spent more than a decade with Auckland. Young has had to fight for the wicketkeeping spot at Auckland with Gareth Hopkins since 2008, though a rich run of batting form earned him a place in New Zealand's Test squad which toured Sri Lanka last year.

With Canterbury's Kruger van Wyk having moved to Central Districts, Young will get a chance to show his prowess behind the stumps and strengthen his case for international cricket, particularly after Brendon McCullum's decision to give up keeping in Tests. "There has come a time where I need to further my career and push for my dream of playing international cricket for New Zealand," Young said. "Canterbury Cricket has given me an opportunity and fresh environment to do this.

"I looked at the spot open in Canterbury and with Brendon McCullum's recent news to stand down from Test keeping, it seemed like a logical choice. My ultimate goal is to play for New Zealand and at the end of the day the decision I've made is to help achieve that goal," Reece said.

Though he was competing with Hopkins for a spot in the Auckland set-up, Young insisted that he maintained a professional relationship with him. "Gareth and I had a strong professional relationship in Auckland. We managed the issue of having two top-class keepers and we shared the duties well," he said. "But to keep full time was a big carrot. I didn't want to finish my career with any regrets. I want to do my upmost to achieve higher honours and at the end of the day I've made the right move and I'm happy with that although it was hard leaving Auckland."

Young hoped to further his claims for a national call-up during the upcoming Emerging Players Tournament in Australia, where he will represent New Zealand A. "It's a good opportunity to showcase my one-day and Twenty20 talent. I'm looking forward to getting out there and producing consistent, solid performances, and Gareth will be away in Sri Lanka. It's a good chance for the selectors to look at us and see who is in form.

"To be honest, it's an exciting time. Obviously the door's ajar for that spot and I'm just going to do what I can and play to my potential. I'll leave it in the hands of the selectors," Young said.

Bob Carter, the Canterbury coach, welcomed the arrival of the 30-year-old Young. "I am delighted to have Reece coming to play for the Wizards," Carter said. "He will bring with him his specialist wicket-keeping skills which will support the team's performances along with his specialist batting skills at all levels of the game."

Young has played 96 first-class matches averaging nearly 30, and has taken 261 catches. Last season, he was Auckland's second highest run-getter, raking in 574 runs at 52.18.