Menu

BJ Watling

BJ Watling as non-striker, Hamilton test 2010 20100328 1
BJ Watling as non-striker, Hamilton test 2010 20100328 1 Image: Wikimedia Commons. DXR / CC BY-SA 4.0

Bradley-John "BJ" Watling (born 9 July 1985) is a South African-born former New Zealand international cricketer. A right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper, he represented New Zealand in Test and One Day International (ODI) cricket and played domestic cricket for Northern Districts. Widely regarded as one of New Zealand's most accomplished wicket-keeper batsmen, Watling holds the national record for most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in Test cricket.

Key facts

Full name Bradley-John Watling
Date of birth 9 July 1985
Place of birth South Africa
Nationality New Zealand
Role Wicket-keeper batsman
Domestic team Northern Districts
Test debut December 2009
ODI debut August 2010 (approximately eight months after his Test debut)
Test wicket-keeping role From 2012
Retirement announced May 2021

Background

Watling was born in South Africa and later represented New Zealand at the international level. In domestic cricket, he was associated with Northern Districts.

Career

International debut

Watling made his Test debut for New Zealand in December 2009. About eight months later, he made his ODI debut for the side.

Wicket-keeping role

In 2012, Watling took on the role of wicket-keeper in the Test side, a position he occupied for the remainder of his international career.

Records and partnerships

  • Holds the record for the most dismissals by a wicket-keeper for New Zealand in Test cricket.
  • Involved in the highest sixth-wicket partnership for New Zealand in Tests.
  • Involved in the highest seventh-wicket partnership for New Zealand in Tests.
  • First wicket-keeper batsman to score a double century for New Zealand in Tests.

Retirement and World Test Championship

In May 2021, Watling announced that he would retire from cricket at the conclusion of New Zealand's tour to England, which included a Test series and the final of the 2019–21 ICC World Test Championship. New Zealand won the final in June 2021, and Watling ended his playing career on that high note.

Significance

Watling's career is notable for transforming the wicket-keeper batsman role for New Zealand. His combination of dependable glovework and the ability to score heavily down the order — including double-century innings and record partnerships — made him a central figure in New Zealand's emergence as a top Test side, culminating in their World Test Championship triumph.

References