BJ Watling will not keep wickets in New Zealand's Test series opener against Windies starting on December 1, a team spokesperson confirmed on Friday (November 24). The 32-year-old is yet to recover completely from a hip injury sustained while warming up for Northern Knights' Plunkett Shield clash against the Central Stags.

Selector Gavin Larsen had remained hopeful of Watling recovering and donning the gloves for the game in the immediate aftermath of the injury, but will now have to look elsewhere for his gloveman. Tom Blundell, 27, is favourite to bag his Test debut at his home ground in Wellington. The team's selectors have a three-day practice game between New Zealand's A side and the visitors in Lincoln to help finalise their replacement.

Meanwhile, Watling, who hasn't kept wickets for the Northern Districts in any of the four games since picking up the injury, remains in contention to play the Test as a pure batsman. He opened the batting for Northern Districts against Otago on Friday but Tim Seifert was named wicketkeeper.

Besides Watling, New Zealand's A side has been afflicted by other injury and illness concerns. Martin Guptill (hamstring), Adam Milne (back), Colin Munro and Scott Kuggeleijn (illness) will all not be part of the tour game in Lincoln.

The two New Zealand-Windies Tests at Basin Reserve and Seddon Park, Hamilton will be followed three ODIs and as many T20Is with the tour culminating on January 3.