Tom Blundell (cricketer) explained

Thomas Ackland Blundell (born 1 September 1990) is a New Zealand cricketer. He made his international debut for the New Zealand national cricket team in January 2017. He also plays first-class cricket for Wellington.^[1] In April 2019, he was named in New Zealand's One Day International (ODI) squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup, despite being uncapped in an ODI match.^[2] Blundell was a member of the New Zealand team that won the 2019–2021 ICC World Test Championship. He was one of the recipients of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year award in 2023.

Background and domestic career

A scion of the ancient Lancashire gentry family,^[3] Blundell was educated at Wellington College, Wellington where he excelled at cricket. Named in New Zealand's squad for the 2010 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, playing in one game,^[4] Blundell made his first-class debut in 2013.^[4] In June 2018, he was awarded a contract with Wellington for the 2018–19 season.^[5] In November 2020, in the third round of the 2020–21 Plunket Shield season, Blundell was given out obstructing the field.^[6]

International career

In January 2017 he was added to New Zealand's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad as their wicket-keeper for their third match against Bangladesh, after Luke Ronchi was injured.^[7] On 8 January 2017 he made his T20I debut for New Zealand against Bangladesh.^[8]

In January 2017, he was added to New Zealand's One Day International (ODI) squad as their wicket-keeper against Australia, but he did not play.^[9] In November 2017, he was added to New Zealand's Test squad for their series against the West Indies.^[10] He made his Test debut for New Zealand against the West Indies on 1 December 2017.^[11] He replaced the injured BJ Watling as the wicket-keeper,^[12] scoring 107 not out which was the highest Test score by a New Zealand wicket-keeper on debut.^[13] He also became the first wicket-keeper since Matt Prior in 2007 to score a century on Test debut.^[14]

In April 2019, he was named in New Zealand's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.^{[15] [16]} The International Cricket Council (ICC) named him as one of the five surprise picks for the tournament.^[17] However, he did not play a match during the tournament. The following month, he was one of twenty players to be awarded a new contract for the 2019–20 season by New Zealand Cricket.^[18]

In January 2020, Blundell was named in New Zealand's One Day International (ODI) squad for their series against India.^[19] He made his ODI debut for New Zealand, against India, on 5 February 2020.^[20]

On 2 December 2020, he was named as wicket-keeper for the Test squad for their home series against West Indies, replacing BJ Watling, who suffered an injury.^[21]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tom Blundell . 30 October 2015 . ESPN Cricinfo.
2. Web site: Uncapped in ODIs, who is Tom Blundell? . ESPN Cricinfo . 3 April 2019.
3. Web site: A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry; Or, Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland Etc. John. Burke. 4 June 1837. Henry Colburn. Google Books.
4. Web site: Get to know: Tom Blundell, New Zealand's surprise CWC19 call-up . International Cricket Council . 3 April 2019.
5. Web site: Central Districts drop Jesse Ryder from contracts list . ESPN Cricinfo . 15 June 2018.
6. Web site: Tom Blundell out in bizarre manner in Plunket Shield fixture . ESPN Cricinfo . 8 November 2020.
7. Web site: Uncapped Blundell replaces injured Ronchi . ESPN Cricinfo . 6 January 2017.
8. Web site: Bangladesh tour of New Zealand, 3rd T20I: New Zealand v Bangladesh at Mount Maunganui, Jan 8, 2017 . ESPN Cricinfo . 8 January 2017.
9. Web site: New Zealand call up Blundell for Chappell-Hadlee ODIs . 21 January 2017 . ESPN Cricinfo.
10. News: Blundell to make Test debut against WI; NZ call Ferguson as cover for Southee . ESPN Cricinfo . 26 November 2017 . 26 November 2017.
11. Web site: 1st Test, West Indies tour of New Zealand at Wellington, Dec 1–5, 2017 . ESPN Cricinfo . 30 November 2017.
12. Web site: Blundell replaces injured Watling for Windies Tests . Cricbuzz . 27 November 2017. 3 December 2017.
13. Web site: NZ declare with massive lead after Blundell's debut ton. ESPN Cricinfo. 3 December 2017.
14. Web site: Basin Reserve a field of dreams for Tom Blundell after New Zealand century on test debut. Stuff. 4 December 2017.
15. Web site: Sodhi and Blundell named in New Zealand World Cup squad . ESPN Cricinfo . 3 April 2019.
16. Web site: Uncapped Blundell named in New Zealand World Cup squad, Sodhi preferred to Astle . International Cricket Council . 3 April 2019.
17. Web site: Cricket World Cup 2019: Five surprise picks . International Cricket Council . 25 April 2019.
18. Web site: Jimmy Neesham, Tom Blundell and Will Young handed New Zealand contracts . ESPN Cricinfo . 2 May 2019.
19. Web site: Kyle Jamieson, Scott Kuggeleijn and Hamish Bennett named in New Zealand ODI squad . ESPN Cricinfo . 30 January 2020.
20. Web site: 1st ODI (D/N), India tour of New Zealand at Hamilton, Feb 5 2020 . ESPN Cricinfo . 5 February 2020.
21. Web site: Will Young to make Test debut as BJ Watling ruled out . 5 December 2020 . ESPN Cricinfo.