Kiwi wicketkeeper has no qualms in replacing Mccullum behind the sticks
Kiwi wicketkeeper has no qualms in replacing Mccullum behind the sticks
With only a solitary Test under his belt, Gareth Hopkins will undertake the most difficult assignment of his career today as New Zealand take on India in the first Test here in Motera today.
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Hopkins, 33, a veteran wicketkeeper-batsman on New Zealand's domestic circuit, has been entrusted as the Black Caps' first choice wicketkeeper for the tour of India.u00a0 "With Brendon (McCullum) retiring from wicketkeeping duties, I am looking to cement my place in the Test squad.u00a0 That is my first goal. Part of that job is slugging it out and scoring some runs for my country," Hopkins told MiD DAY.
"I watched a bit of the India vs Australia series. The ball kept low and there was a bit of reverse swing. Our pitches keep a little low too; the ball comes down to ankle height at times, so I will actually enjoy the conditions in India. I feel a wicketkeeper's role is all the more important in this sort of a tour, when the bowlers will require a lot of cheering up," he said.
Hopkins was reminded of two things - India have lost just one out of their last 13 Tests at home, and that New Zealand's fielders could be kept in the park for a long period of time. "I have played 120 first-class matches, so I know what it's like to be on the receiving end. We do expect India to post totals of 600 or 700 in this series, but we are not concerned about it. It's Test cricket, and supposed to be tough," he said.
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