Blackcaps skipper Kane Williamson has confirmed wicketkeeper BJ Watling is out of the opening test against West Indies in Hamilton, starting Thursday.
The veteran gloveman was unable to train on the eve of the test in his hometown and has succumbed to a hamstring injury suffered while playing for Northern Districts in the domestic one-day competition.
Central District batsman Will Young make his test debut as an opening batsman, with Tom Blundell dropping down the order to keep wickets.
Williamson is very confident Watling will be back in no time, but knows the toll a long five-day test match takes on the body.
"He has seen it all before and knows his body better than anybody," Williamson says. "Obviously he has got a sore hamstring at the moment, but he is very confident he can get it back to full fitness very soon."
Watling's leadership and team-first approach has really shone through over the past 48 hours, as the decision was made.
"It's very difficult to go into any match at half fitness, and he cares about the team more than anybody and sees it from that perspective," Williams says. "Through discussions with the management, they felt that was the best option.
"He is a leader in the group and showed that again with the discussions he had yesterday."
After Young's test debut was curtailed due to the 2019 Christchurch mosque attack, Williamson is excited to see him finally get his opportunity.
"He will open the batting on a really special occasion for him and the people around him," Williamson says. "It's an exciting opportunity for him there at the top of the order and I know he is just looking forward to getting involved after some near opportunities."
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