John Wright. File photo / Greg Bowker
Forget the debate over whether or not he can keep wicket, the selection of BJ Watling as the likely wicketkeeper in the test team has a lot more to it than that.
It is a positive move from John Wright because it is a step away from the traditional safety of six batsmen, Daniel Vettori, a keeper and three quicks. It says they are selecting to win a test rather than not lose because it provides for Vettori and four other bowlers.
It is a negative move, however, because it also shows a lack of faith in the top six batsmen. I believe in the top six but my patience continues to be tested. Trying to turn Watling into a test wicketkeeper says that runs from the keeper are the most important thing right now. If there existed total faith in the top six, then the selection of the wicketkeeper would be simple; pick the best gloveman.
There's a positive spin-off from this current lack of faith. If Watling can do a capable job next week (should he play) and he is able to balance his keeping development with his test batting development, which statistically does need improvement, then he will provide an element that New Zealand has not had for some time if at all - a wicketkeeper who is a genuine batsman.
The closest we've come to that was just before Brendon McCullum decided to open the batting and stop keeping. Ian Smith and Adam Parore were great glovemen and meaningful contributors with the bat but both would agree they would not have played as a batsman alone. When Parore was a batsman alone, Lee Germon was the keeper.
If Watling shows he can cut the mustard, then there are further positives. It means that when Jesse Ryder is fit, more pressure is placed upon the top order to perform consistently. They cannot continue to be mediocre as often as they have been.
The squad selected is the best at this point in time, even if Watling misses out, because I'm happy for Kruger Van Wyk to get his chance but I'd definitely add Tarun Nethula to the squad if he doesn't have a complete shocker in the New Zealand XI game in Gisborne. With Vettori at six, it doesn't just mean four seamers can play, it opens the door for another spinner. Because of the bowling cover, you can take a punt with that spinner.
The Napier pitch could get very flat but should bounce. Nethula got bounce and turn on it in the HRV Cup game there and looked threatening.
He did drop a few balls short, though, and that is the only reservation I have about him. In T20 cricket, the traditional bad ball can get hidden but not in test cricket. A long hop or full toss in test cricket sticks out like the proverbial.
However, a leg spinner can offer so much to the bowling attack if they threaten enough to justify the odd loose one or the others around can cover for them.