If you are a promising wicketkeeper-batsman in this country, you might want to re-invent yourself as a batsman-wicketkeeper.
That seems to be the message John Wright has sent following his decision to pick part-time keeper BJ Watling for the one-off test against Zimbabwe. Central Districts keeper Kruger van Wyk was also named in the squad but has returned to play for his association.
Wright wants to continue playing four seamers plus spinner Daniel Vettori, and that means a batsman has to make way.
To ease the burden on the top five, the wicketkeeper has to be an accomplished batsman. That is how Watling fits in, but where does that leave Otago's Derek de Boorder, who is arguably the best keeper in the country?
The 26-year-old has some high-profile support in former national selector Glenn Turner, who has suggested de Boorder is ready to make the step up to international cricket.
The former New Zealand under-19 gloveman has fashioned an impressive record.
In 36 first-class games for Otago, he has effected 120 dismissals and scored 1670 runs at an average of 40.73, including two hundreds.
He averages more with the bat than any of his major rivals, including Watling. So why was he overlooked?
"I was told it wasn't anything to do with my keeping," de Boorder said.
"They want me to put more runs on board. They are after a keeper who bats seven and scores heavily. So I've been asked to score some more runs and that is why they went with BJ and Kruger [van Wyk].
"They said those two were in form at the start of the season, so I've just got to try and prove a point now.
"They've made up their mind, so that is fair enough. I've got six four-day games left and the remaining one-dayers to make a mark and put some pressure on.
"I think I'm gloving it well. Now I just have to keep working hard and take the opportunities when it stops raining."
Asked if he planned to put more emphasis on his batting in the future, de Boorder said he remained committed to improving in both disciplines.
"Keeping is still my No 1 skill and I think I owe it to myself and Otago to make sure I'm performing at 100%.
"If I was to make the next step, I wouldn't want to be found out because I had cut corners with my keeping just to try and get my batting up. So I'm trying to be more of an all-rounder and put time into both sides of my game.
"I'll work even harder on my batting but at no expense to my keeping."
Otago plays Northern Districts in a one-day match in Hamilton tomorrow. The Volts are looking forward to getting on the park after a disappointing run which has seen three of their six one-day games called off.
The Volts slipped from second to third on the competition table after their last game against Central Districts in Invercargill was abandoned.
"It is something we can't control," de Boorder said.
"All we can do is go out and play well in the next two games. We've talked about momentum and these next two games are quite crucial in that sense."
The good news for Otago is the two points it picked up from the abandoned match was enough to guarantee it a place in the playoffs.
Northern Districts was dismissed for 99 against Auckland at Colin Maiden Park on Thursday and will be looking for an improved performance.
The Knights are without the services of Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kane Williamson and Watling, who are all on national duty.
Ford Trophy
Hamilton, tomorrow
• Otago: Aaron Redmond (captain), Neil Broom, Michael Bracewell, Craig Cumming, Darren Broom, Nathan McCullum, Jimmy Neesham, Derek de Boorder, Ian Butler, Neil Wagner, Nick Beard, James McMillan.
• Northern Districts (possible): James Marshall (captain), Graeme Aldridge, Brent Arnel, James Baker, Jono Boult, Anton Devcich, Brook Hatwell, Brandon Hiini, Hamish Marshall, Peter McGlashan, Daryl Mitchell, Brad Wilson.
