The Otago wicketkeeper has quietly gone about his work without much fanfare since transferring south from Auckland in 2007. It is the strike bowlers and top order batsmen who normally hog the limelight, whereas a wicketkeeper tends only to get noticed if there is an error. When de Boorder overhauled Warren Lees’ Otago record for wicketkeeping dismissals (244) at the end of 2014-15, it barely registered. Now, the 31-year-old is on the cusp of 300 career dismissals. He needs one more to reach the milestone, while his Otago tally stands at 289.
It is quite an achievement but de Boorder was quick to play it down.
"As a wicketkeeper, I’m there as the drummer in the band," de Boorder said.
"Obviously, you measure yourself against statistics — it is the nature of cricket. But to compare myself with someone like Warren, who is from a different generation, is difficult.
"I’m playing in an era which is professional. I get to train every day in the summer, whereas previous generations had to work as well as play."
De Boorder had a fine match up at the stumps in the game against Central Districts at the University Oval earlier this week, and is generally pleased with his form. But he is a player who has been overlooked for higher honours, despite posting some impressive numbers.
He is a very handy middle order batsman with a career average of 38.01, including three 100s and 26 half centuries. He averages more than 50 in the four first-class games he has had for New Zealand A.
Brendon McCullum blocked his path into the Black Caps for many years and more recently BJ Watling has sown up the test slot, while Luke Ronchi has tended to keep in the limited-overs formats.But a lot of other keepers have had a stints in the national team during de Boorder’s career. Gareth Hopkins, Kruger van Wyk, Reece Young and even Peter McGlashan all got a run ahead of de Boorder.
De Boorder has not given up on his dream of representing his country, but appears to be on the outer after recently missing selection for New Zealand A.
"I’d still love to play for New Zealand. It was always the dream when I was a boy growing up. I’m coming up to my 10th season now; it would be nice to get one cap under the belt and test myself against the best.
"It is all about timing. I’ve sort of come to the realisation that not everyone gets that opportunity. There are many great players who have come and gone and never played for New Zealand."
Looking back, de Boorder felt he had lacked consistency during the early stages of his career and missed out when it really mattered.
"But I feel like I’ve got more consistency in my game and, hopefully, if the New Zealand selectors do come knocking, I’ll be ready to put my hand up."
De Boorder, who has a degree in finance, is engaged to Natalie Duley. The couple have a 15-month-old son, Ethan, and live in Dunedin.
De Boorder has worked at a bank during the off season in the past, but this winter he was a stay home dad.
Otago’s next match is against Canterbury and gets under way in Invercargill on Monday. Ink in De Boorder’s 300th scalp.
