[3] A batsman and leg-spinner, Blunt began his first-class career at 17 on Christmas Day 1917 for Canterbury against Otago at Christchurch, taking six wickets.

He was the leading run-maker in the 1922–23 season, scoring 583 first-class runs at an average of 53.00, helping Canterbury to win the Plunket Shield.

When New Zealand made its first major overseas tour, to England in 1927, he scored 1540 runs at 44.00 and took 77 wickets at 25.29, and in recognition of these performances he was chosen as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1928.

Blunt also held the record as the highest-scoring New Zealand batsman with 7769 runs until Sutcliffe surpassed it in 1953.

[12] Blunt also became a radio commentator on cricket broadcasts, joining the BBC team for the 1949 New Zealand tour of England.