New Zealand in Safe Hands with Their Quartet of Wicketkeepers

New Zealand must have known from the moment they picked a side including four wicketkeepers that they were in safe hands at Headingley. 

Tom Latham, Brendon McCullum, Luke Ronchi and BJ Watling have all worn the gloves in Test cricket, though, only Ronchi has done so in the second and final Test against England in Leeds.

However, the Black Caps’ quartet of glovemen have still all played key roles in putting their side in a strong position to level the series. 

By the close of play on the third day, New Zealand had reached 338 for six in their second innings, meaning a lead of exactly the same amount.

Watling was undoubtedly their star turn on Sunday.

He reached his fifth Test century just before the close of play, showing why the Kiwis had opted to select him even though he wasn’t fit enough to fulfill his usual role of keeping wicket.

Freed from his other duties, Watling proved his worth as a front-line batsman. In doing so, the right-hander made a little piece of cricketing history, as Yorkshire Cricket Club pointed out:

Watling combined with another of his keeping brethren, skipper McCullum, in putting on a fifth-wicket stand worth 121. Slowly, they shut the door on England on a see-saw day that must have warmed the crowd watching on in the cold.

For once, McCullum was circumspect in his approach. There was still the odd moment of aggression, for it is simply not possible for him to go completely into his shell.

However, the tourists’ skipper worked hard to make 55 from 98 balls. It will not be an innings that makes his top 10, but it should be one that sets up a series-levelling win his squad richly deserve.

McCullum also reached a landmark moment during his half-century, as the ICC pointed out on their official Twitter account:

Ronchi actually batted more in the usual style of McCullum than the man himself. After replacing his captain at the crease, he hit 31 in a hurry to further demoralise the home bowlers.

His second innings was a building block to a big lead. His first, though, laid the foundations for his (second) country in their bid for success.

In his maiden knock on Day 1, the right-hander dashed his way to 88. It took him just 70 deliveries to make his runs too, frustrating England after they had won the toss and opted to bowl first.

The opportunity to play Test cricket had been a long time coming for Ronchi.

Although born in Manawatu, New Zealand, he was raised in Australia and represented them in four one-day matches and a Twenty20 fixture. He didn't too badly either, but he was only ever there as a stand-in for Brad Haddin.

There was one more T20 appearance for the Aussies; then he opted to head back home. The move has been vindicated with his performances in limited-overs cricket for the Kiwis, even though his Test career may not stretch beyond one game.

Brydon Coverdale revealed on Twitter that Ronchi's debut saw him break a long-standing record:

Ronchi had already teamed up with the other wicketkeeper, Latham, to put on a stand worth 120 on the Friday. The latter had been needed to take over with the gloves at Lord’s in the opening Test, as Watling was forced off the field through injury.

Yet his main role is to give his side a solid start with the bat at the top of the order.

He did just that in testing conditions, making 84. That, too, after he had seen both Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson depart with the score stuck on two.

Latham, like Watling, is not a batsman who is going to draw in the crowds. They are both solid, choosing to leave the spectacular to players like McCullum and Ronchi.

But combined, they have been New Zealand’s version of the fantastic four in the second Test.