BJ Watling is currently nursing a hip injury

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling could miss the first Test against the West Indies as he is struggling with a hip injury.

Watling has not represented Northern Districts in the last two rounds of the Plunket Shield, but will play solely as a batsman in their clash with Auckland.

At the end of the month, the 32-year-old will be in action against Otago and that match will likely be used as his fitness test as he will have to don the keeping gloves.

Should he end up missing the first Test, Watling is set to be replaced by the uncapped Tom Blundell, who has represented the Black Caps in one Twenty20 International to date.

In regards to New Zealand’s Test squad for the series, there were no surprises as all the regular faces retained their spots.

The first Test begins on December 1 in Wellington, while the second and final Test will get underway on December 9 in Hamilton.

New Zealand’s Test Squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling (subject to fitness)