New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi has announced his retirement from international cricket.
The 36-year-old started his career at the highest stage with Australia in 2008, featuring in four ODIs and three T20Is, before moving backing to the country of his birth – New Zealand in 2012. In a year, he earned a spot in the national side there and ended up featuring in four Tests, 81 ODIs and 29 T20Is for them.
Ronchi’s last outing in New Zealand colours came in the recently-concluded Champions Trophy. He made a bright start with an enterprising 43-ball 65 against Australia, but a first-ball duck (against England) and 16 (against Bangladesh) followed as New Zealand suffered a group-stage exit. While he’s decided to call time on his New Zealand stint, Ronchi will continue to play in the domestic circuit. Earlier this year in March, Leicestershire signed him up as a replacement for Pakistan’s Sharjeel Khan.
“It was a dream come true,” Ronchi said, of the chance to play for New Zealand. “I can’t think of a better time to have been involved with New Zealand cricket. From the 2015 World Cup campaign, through to the overseas tours of that time and some amazing games and series, it’s been a genuine highlight for me.”
‘Epitome of a professional athelete’
As Ronchi exits the international arena, coach Mike Hesson has a few words of praise for the stumper.
“We’ll remember Luke fondly for the energy he created in the field and his selfless attitude towards the team. He was always prepared to play a role for the greater good of the team; to do what was required even if that risked sacrificing his wicket.
“Luke was one of the best glovemen going around and I think that’s often overlooked in a game increasingly dominated by batting and run-scoring. He was a very skilful wicketkeeper, and a very destructive batsman.
“We’ll miss having him around the group and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”
