By Alex Powell at the Basin Reserve
Despite the debut heroics of Black Caps wicketkeeper Mitch Hay, don’t expect Tom Blundell to be dislodged as first-choice gloveman any time soon.
Hay, 25, earned his first test cap at the Basin Reserve this week, after Blundell was scratched from facing the West Indies, having suffered a hamstring tear in the series opener.
With that door open to him, Hay showed both the West Indies and selectors exactly what he’s made of.
After an impressive display with the gloves on day one, Hay doubled up with the bat on day two, and ticked off his maiden half-century to guide New Zealand to a 73-run first innings lead.
From 93 balls, Hay made an innings-high 61 runs, hitting nine boundaries and one six in his more than two-hour stay at the crease. And while there might have been nerves on debut, Hay showed composure beyond his years to bat his country ahead, at the first time of asking.
That, though, will only lead to questions over who is best suited to wear the gloves for the Black Caps.
Given the security of both Blundell and BJ Watling before him, Hay is the first wicketkeeper to debut for New Zealand in test cricket since 2017. However, Blundell’s form with the bat has waned in recent years, seeing his test batting average dip from above 40 into the low 30s.
And considering the current balance of the Black Caps’ XI sees the wicketkeeper bat at No 6 instead of No 7, runs are a currency that Blundell has been short of before his injury.
But for Daryl Mitchell, who shared a 73-stand with Hay, any change to the status quo is unlikely.
“I’m not the captain, I’m not the selector, I’m not the coach,” Mitchell began. “Tom’s obviously got a sore hamstring this week.
“I know he’s aiming to be back for that next game, next week. You can probably read between the lines with how we will operate - but that’s not my decision.
“But they’re both very good players, and very good men.”
The big sticking point for selectors will be the fact that at Blundell’s age of 35, dropping him now would all but end his career. And for a player who has done everything asked of him in the black cap - including opening the batting away to Australia to great success - that would be a very harsh call to make.
For his part, Blundell has also been present with the Black Caps in Wellington all week, as a means of aiding Hay where needed in his maiden test.
Regardless, that doesn’t stop Mitchell’s enjoyment at seeing Hay’s debut performance.
The 34-year-old had the best seat in the house to watch his younger teammate bat, and was outscored 44-25 in their partnership. Mitchell has had plenty of time to look at Hay, given they share a dressing room with Canterbury, as well as the Black Caps.
On top of that, Hay’s innings carries on a positive trend with newer players coming into the side.
Throughout this golden run of New Zealand men’s cricket, players performing on debut has been a common occurrence.
Be it Devon Conway’s 200 against England at Lord’s to the pair of Will O’Rourke and Zak Foulkes both taking nine-wicket hauls on their respective debuts. Even Blundell ticked off an unbeaten 107 in his first test knock - coincidentally against the same opposition, at the same venue as Hay has done.
And as a player who had to wait until his late 20s to play test cricket, Mitchell explained the setup of the team plays its part in allowing newcomers to be able to hit the ground running when they debut.
“When you get the right to play for this team, you’ve earned it,” he added. “A lot of guys have done a lot over a long period of time in domestic cricket.
“That allows you to come in and play with confidence. When I started, the leaders in the group were really clear on my role within the team.
“That’s something we’re trying to enforce; it’s team first, you’re doing a job for your team. You can go through the list of who’s been successful early on in their career.
“We’re just a bunch of Kiwis going out there and getting stuck in.”
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.