AUCKLAND: Former wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi has been appointed New Zealand batting coach for the upcoming summer. He replaces the post left vacant by Peter Fulton in July.
Ronchi — who played 4 Tests, 85 ODIs and 33 T20Is — joins head coach Gary Stead and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen in the New Zealand support staff. He has worked with the team regularly over the past two years, including the 2019 World Cup campaign in England and Wales where the team finished as runners-up.
"I'm absolutely pumped. I've really enjoyed being back with the team in recent seasons and it's exciting to be given the opportunity full-time this summer," Ronchi said in a statement.
"Getting the chance to continue working with our batsmen is a great honour and I'm looking forward to seeing how I can help improve their games and best prepare them to perform at the highest level. It'll be great to sit down with Gary (Stead) and the other coaches to begin planning for what will be a busy summer with four touring teams who will all bring different challenges," he added. Ross Taylor, New Zealand's all-time leading run-scorer, said Ronchi had the right credentials to succeed in the role.
"It's been great to have Luke back with the group in recent years and I'm personally really looking forward to working with him as batting coach. (IANS)