Cricket: McCullum's decision opens the door for keepers

Brendon McCullum has chosen to focus on his batting in tests. Photo / Christine Cornege

A door into the New Zealand test team has opened for most of the country's leading wicketkeepers.

Most, as the encumbent Brendon McCullum has ruled himself out of the job, opting to keep only in ODIs and T20 cricket.

In recent months, several wicketkeepers have had a chance in the various international forms, notably Gareth Hopkins, who wore the gloves during the ODI series against Australia and in the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean this year.

Another Auckland player, Reece Young, briefly took over from McCullum in a test in Sri Lanka last August, while Northern Districts' Peter McGlashan was, for a time, the selectors' flavour in the T20 game.

Add into the mix Kruger van Wyk, the well-regarded, and now eligible, South African-born wicketkeeper. He could yet be the test frontrunner, having become available to the selectors from April. Van Wyk has just shifted from Canterbury to Central Districts.

Last March, McCullum spoke of his desire to give up the gloves in the two shorter forms but retain them in test cricket. That seemed odd at the time in terms of reducing the wicketkeeping strains on his body to help his longevity.

Now things have clearly changed, after discussions with the New Zealand Cricket hierarchy. The runners will be entering the starting gate shortly, with the tour to Bangladesh in October the first target.

Although the New Zealand squad named yesterday is for an ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka in August, there are likely to be eight tests on the horizon - two in Bangladesh, three in India in November-December and three at home against Pakistan over December-January.

Other than that, the focus is on February's World Cup, to be hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

McCullum, who with captain Dan Vettori is missing the trip to Sri Lanka - both players' wives are due to give birth shortly - said he had sought counsel from a range of people.

"I am passionate about playing for the Black Caps and by limiting my keeping to the shorter forms of the game it increases my chances of prolonging my career," he said.

McCullum has been linked to a permanent shift up the order to fill the problematic No 3 batting position.

But he knows - and if he didn't it was made clear with yesterday's announcement - that his test selection stands or falls solely by his form with the bat.

"He is a really talented player and we want him to be part of the set-up for a long time to come," coach and selector Mark Greatbatch said yesterday. "But Brendon clearly understands he will only be considered as a test batsman on his long-form batting performances."

McCullum's test average is 34.9. In five innings at No 3, that number rises to 40.

The squad of 15 for four ODIs and possibly a final in Sri Lanka includes Wellington pair Jesse Ryder and Grant Elliott, who are returning from injury, and fast-rising talent Kane Williamson. They will be captained by Ross Taylor. He gets the chance to show his leadership qualities in Vettori's absence, and with an eye to the post-Vettori years.

The New Zealand A team for a quadrangular series in Queensland in August against teams from India, South Africa and the host country, includes Zimbabwe-born Auckland allrounder Colin de Grandhomme and Otago's Pretoria-born left arm quick Neil Wagner.

Given a paucity of fast-medium options since the departures of Shane Bond and Iain O'Brien, the lively Wagner, who is eligible in April 2012, has drawn plenty of interest.

Another worth a good look will be Auckland left armer Michael Bates. The province's player of the year, he performed strongly with 66 wickets across the three forms.

Depth in NZ squads

* New Zealand A squad to tour Australia for Emerging Players quadrangular tournament from August 6-20:

Peter Ingram, Tim McIntosh, Aaron Redmond, Rob Nicol, Reece Young, Shanan Stewart, Neil Broom, Daniel Flynn, Luke Woodcock, Colin de Grandhomme, Brendon Diamanti, Neil Wagner, Brent Arnel, Michael Bates (one to be added).

* New Zealand squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka and India in Sri Lanka from August 10-26:

Ross Taylor (c), Martin Guptill, Jesse Ryder, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, Scott Styris, Grant Elliott, Gareth Hopkins, Jacob Oram, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey, Jeetan Patel, Tim Southee, Andy McKay.