He might not be thinking about his future in test cricket, but Black Caps wicketkeeper Mitch Hay could make a huge statement to secure the job fulltime – if the next few days go his way.
After an injury to incumbent Tom Blundell in Christchurch, Hay donned the Black Cap for the first time as New Zealand controlled the first day of the second test against the West Indies in Wellington.
And while the 25-year-old himself might not admit it, he has the chance to press his case to replace Blundell on a permanent basis, after impressing in the shorter formats.
“Every time you play for New Zealand, it’s an exciting opportunity,” he explained. “When I’ve played in the previous formats, it’s been the same thing - excitement to wear the fern, and do it as much as I can for the team.
“Whatever the team requires when I go out to bat is the role I’m going to try and fulfil.
“To look too far ahead is unnecessary, it’s just [about] the job at hand. I’m excited to put my best foot forward in test cricket.”
Since the retirement of BJ Watling in 2021, Blundell has largely been unchallenged as the Black Caps’ test wicketkeeper. In 2022, he averaged an astonishing 58.54 with the bat, to go with a flawless year with the gloves –where he didn’t concede a single bye.
The past couple of years, though, haven’t been as kind. While 2023 saw him average a respectable 36.08 with the bat, that number drops to 23.30 last year, and 15.50 in three tests this year.
Overall, Blundell’s career batting average has fallen to 33.89. And as harsh as it may be for a wicketkeeper, runs will ultimately have the biggest say in who wears the gloves in test cricket, especially given the balance of the Black Caps’ side sees wicketkeepers at No 6 in the batting order.
But for a team like the Black Caps, whose success has been built on continuity in selection of New Zealand’s small player pool, Blundell has been spared the axe.
Both coach Rob Walter and predecessor Gary Stead have both publicly backed Blundell, despite his selection coming under scrutiny.
For the most part, selectors are aware that at age 35, Blundell being dropped now would be the end of his career.
That, coupled with the fact that 2026 sees the Black Caps tour both England and Australia – countries where Blundell has succeeded in the past, will mean the incumbent has earned the right to play his way back into form.
However, considering runs will have such a key say, Hay could consider himself to have the upper hand.
While Blundell’s first-class batting average is 35.82, Hay’s is 48.58. Admittedly, Blundell’s is from a much larger sample size, also affected by test cricket.
But, diplomatically, Hay acknowledges the help Blundell has given him in his career, so far.
“We’ve worked together a bit in the past,” Hay said of Blundell. “He’s always been really good, really open with his experiences and helping me as much as he can.
“I can’t speak higher of him as a guy, or as a player. He’s been awesome to me.
“He’s done a fantastic job for this New Zealand team for a long time.”
Now, though, with his first day of test cricket in the bank, Hay can hope to spend his second with his feet up.
After winning the toss and bowling first, New Zealand bowled the tourists out for 205, and reached 24-0 in reply to trail by 181 at stumps.
And with the Basin Reserve pitch looking as though it will get better and better to bat on, the Black Caps can twist the knife with the bat, and put themselves in a position where defeat is off the table.
“It was an awesome day, a pretty special day,” said Hay. “I was happy we won the toss and bowled first and to get out there straight away.
“The team’s in a really good position, that’s the main thing. We didn’t start quite as well as we would have liked, but bounced back really well – which was pleasing.
“The batsmen have a job to do tomorrow, to bat as long as we can and pile a good score on the board.”
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.