Long-serving Otago wicketkeeper Derek de Boorder described himself as the guy at the back keeping the beat when he was approaching 300 career dismissals last season.
The 32-year-old is an understated kind of fellow who has quietly gone about achieving an impressive record of 340 dismissals and 4561 runs at an average of 36.78 in 98 first-class games.
Yet despite all his success, de Boorder has played just four games for New Zealand A and has largely been overlooked by the national selectors.
He has been in terrific form again this season with both the bat and gloves. But it was Wellington’s Tom Blundell who got the call-up for the first test when regular test keeper BJ Watling was ruled out with a hip complaint.
Blundell did very well in the Plunket Shield last season with 656 runs at 54.66 and deserves an opportunity.But de Boorder is a better gloveman according to his coach, Rob Walter. And when you see the former Otago captain pouching a legside bouncer while he is up at the stumps, it is hard to argue.
"Everyone has their reasons for selection and Blundell’s will probably be based on last season’s performance with the bat," Walter said.
"I would assume they are looking to fill BJ’s role as a batter who keeps and who makes a big impact down the order.
"But from that point of view Derek has done well, particularly in the last two weeks with registering a hundred and a couple of 50s.
"So for me he can’t be far off. As far as a gloveman goes, I don’t think there is many better than him in the country.
"I would suggest they see Derek’s ability with the gloves but maybe back Blundell’s batting as a little bit ahead. Whether that is right or wrong I don’t know.
"One thing we have learnt from Derek over the last two seasons is he is a quality batter.
"He has a good technique. He is resolute in his defence and he is prepared to bat time."
Blundell is five years younger than de Boorder and that may have been a factor. He has also been given an opportunity at international level before. He played one twenty20 match against Bangladesh in January this year.
But de Boorder would have been a worthy recipient of a test spot, Walter said.
"He certainly has the game to play test cricket — I have no doubt about that."
