Durham Cricket are delighted to announce the signing of New Zealand international BJ Watling for the remainder of Specsavers County Championship season.
The Kiwi wicketkeeper-batsman will join up with James Franklin’s squad for the red-ball games against Northamptonshire and Glamorgan, replacing Peter Handscomb who returns to Australia ahead of their domestic season.
The 34-year-old most recently featured in the New Zealand Test side that drew their series with Sri Lanka in August. Watling contributed 183 runs at an average of 91.5 – scoring an unbeaten century in an innings victory in the final Test.
With a first class average of 39.05 including 16 centuries and 53 half centuries, Watling makes his first foray into English domestic cricket.
Durham Director of Cricket Marcus North:
“I’m delighted to welcome BJ Watling for the final two games of the Specsavers County Championships season, he’s coming to us off the back of an exceptional Test series against Sri Lanka.
“With Peter Handscomb returning to Australia we have moved swiftly to ensure we have a high quality overseas batter.”