Watling doubtful for opening Windies Test

Johannesburg [South Africa], November 15 (ANI): New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling appears to be in doubt for the first Test of the two-match series against West Indies as he is still struggling with a hip injury.

The 32-year-old sustained the injury, while warming up for his domestic side Northern Knights' opening match against the Central Stags in the Plunket Shield 2017-18.

Watling, who has not missed a single Test match since 2013, was subsequently forced to miss his domestic side's last two four-day games.

The wicketkeeper will now need to prove his fitness in a first-class match against Otago, beginning on November 24, ahead of the opening Test against the Caribbean side.

The cloud over Watling's participation means that Tom Blundell could be in line to make his Test debut at his home ground.

It should be noted that Blundell has been named in the New Zealand A side that will play against West Indies in a three-day tour match before the first Test, beginning December 1.

The 12-man New Zealand squad for two-match Test series against West Indies is as follows:

New Zealand Test squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling. (ANI)