Ronchi named to NZ ODI squad for England tour

Ronchi named to NZ ODI squad for England tour

Former Australia wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi hasbeen named to the New Zealand squad for three one-day internationals againstEngland this spring and for the ICC Champions Trophy.

Ronchi, who played four one-day internationals and threeTwenty20 matches for Australia in 2008 and 2009, was born in New Zealand andhas regained eligibility to play for his home country after returning from Australia.

He was named Friday to a 15-man New Zealand squad that willplay England in one-day internationals at Lord's on May 31, Hampshire on June 2and Trent Bridge, Nottingham on June 5. The team will then compete at theChampions Trophy in Britain from June 9-23.

Former captain Daniel Vettori will return to the New Zealandone-day squad after an eight-month layoff due to an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, opening batsman Martin Guptill and fast bowlerMark Gillespie have been recalled to the New Zealand test squad that will playEngland at Lord's starting on May 16 and Headingly from May 24.

The New Zealand squad otherwise contains the same playersinvolved in the recent series against England in New Zealand in which all threetests were drawn.

Guptill missed that series with an injury and will now haveto reclaim his opening spot from either Peter Fulton, who made centuries ineach innings of the third test at Auckland, or Hamish Rutherford, who made 171on debut in the first test at Dunedin.

"It was great to see how many players took theiropportunities in the recent series," selection manager Kim Littlejohnsaid. "Performances from the likes of Hamish Rutherford, MitchellMcClenaghan and Peter Fulton have added real depth to the side.

"The ODI squad has a core group of players who have nowplayed in a number of international tournaments and bring a wealth ofexperience. Having Daniel Vettori back in the side adds to that and we'rereally excited to have someone of his quality back in the team.

"Luke Ronchi gets his chance after impressing on thedomestic scene. We know how dangerous he is and look forward to seeing himdisplay his talents on the international stage."

Ronchi scored a half century from 22 balls — thethird-fastest by an Australian in one-day internationals — during his briefstint with the Australian team.

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said the return of Guptill andGillespie adds depth to the New Zealand test squad.

"Martin has proven himself to be a world-classperformer before, and we're thrilled to have back in the side," he said."Mark has been dominant in the domestic competitions this season and fullydeserves his spot in the test side. "

Captain Brendon McCullum and leading batsman Ross Taylorwill miss New Zealand's three-day warm-up match against Derbyshire whilecompleting commitments in the Indian Premier League but will return for asecond tour match against the England Lions starting May 9.

_______

New Zealand Squads:

Tests: Brendon McCullum (captain), Trent Boult, DougBracewell, Dean Brownlie, Peter Fulton, Martin Guptill, Mark Gillespie, TomLatham,

Bruce Martin, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor,Neil Wagner,

B.J. Watling, Kane Williamson.

ODI and ICC Champions Trophy: Brendon McCullum (captain),Trent Boult,

Grant Elliott, Andrew Ellis, James Franklin, Martin Guptill,Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi,

Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, KaneWilliamson.

Related Stories

No stories found.

X
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com