New Zealand Cricket has confirmed that BJ Watling will take over as the Black Caps’ batting coach from early December 2026, succeeding Luke Ronchi. Ronchi accepted an offer to become head coach of the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League, ending a six-year association with New Zealand after the Test series against India concludes.
Watling, 41, will embed with the Black Caps support staff on November 16, 2026, working alongside Ronchi during a handover period before formally assuming the role when the side departs for a four-Test series in Australia. Ronchi has held the batting coach position since 2020, when he succeeded Peter Fulton.
“I’m incredibly excited. To come back into the team and work with this current group is a special opportunity and one I don’t take lightly. What this side and the support staff have achieved together over recent years has been remarkable, so I’m looking forward to contributing to a world-class side,” said Watling as quoted by The New Zealand Herald.
What does Watling bring to the Black Caps batting group?
Watling stepped away from international cricket following New Zealand’s World Test Championship final victory in 2021. During his playing career, he represented the Black Caps 108 times across all formats, appearing in 75 Tests and accumulating 3,790 runs at an average of 37.52. Notably, all eight of his Test centuries arrived in matches New Zealand won.
His first-class record is equally substantial. Across 178 appearances, Watling scored more than 10,000 runs and reached three figures on 18 occasions. He also shares the world record sixth-wicket partnership of 365 runs, set alongside Kane Williamson against Sri Lanka in 2015.
After retiring, Watling moved into domestic coaching. He began with Wellington before joining Northern Districts, where he led the side to the Plunket Shield in 2025 and guided them to Super Smash glory in 2026. Those back-to-back domestic honours strengthened his case for a national role ahead of this appointment.
How has New Zealand’s Test captain responded to the change?
New Zealand Test captain Tom Latham offered a public endorsement of the appointment. Latham pointed out that only one member of the Black Caps’ preferred Test top six is aged under 30, underlining why Watling’s depth of experience at the highest level is well suited to this particular group.
“BJ is a guy who personified what it means to be a Black Cap, so having someone like him come back into the group will be great for our environment. There was never any doubt about his effort and determination every time he stepped on to the field, and I’m sure that same attitude will translate in his coaching style,” said Latham.
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