Ronchi retires from international cricket
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Ronchi retires from international cricket
Luke
Ronchi played for both Australia and New Zealand in a nine-year international
career
Luke Ronchi, the New
Zealand wicketkeeper, has announced his retirement from international cricket.
Ronchi, 36, played in
four ODIs and three T20Is for Australia in 2008 and 2009, but came into his own
after transferring his allegiance back to his native New Zealand in 2013.
He added four Tests,
85 ODIs and 32 T20Is for the Black Caps, and was an integral member of the 2015
World Cup side that captured their country's imagination in a memorable run to
the final.
Ronchi averaged 23.67
in ODIs at a strike-rate of 114.50, and 18.89 in T20Is at 141.33, but was
trusted for his ball-striking skills, not least in his final international
campaign, the Champions Trophy in England earlier this month, when a brisk 65
from 43 balls as opener put New Zealand into a winning position against
Australia, only for rain to have the final say.
His finest hour with
the bat was an unbeaten 170 from 99 balls in an ODI against Sri Lanka at
Dunedin in 2014-15. He then followed that up with scores of 88 and 31 on his
Test debut against England at Headingley, as New Zealand secured only their
fifth win in 54 attempts on English soil.
Ronchi will continue
to be available to play for Wellington, as well as on the domestic T20 circuit
around the world - with his next assignment coming in the NatWest T20 Blast for
Leicestershire.
"It was a dream
come true," Ronchi said of his time as a New Zealand cricketer.
"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.
"It would also
be remiss of me to not acknowledge the incredible support provided by my wife
Shaan and our children Brody and Indi. Cricket takes you away from home for
long periods of time, and my family have been very understanding," he
said.
Mike Hesson, New
Zealand's coach, described Ronchi as the ultimate team man and the epitome of a
professional athlete.
"We'll remember
Luke fondly for the energy he created in the field and his selfless attitude
towards the team," said Hesson.
"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," added Hesson. "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."