It's fair to say not too many of the Wellington Firebirds’ younger fans would know much about Luke Ronchi, but that could change quickly.
The 31-year-old, who was born in Dannevirke in the Manawatu, moved to this side of the Tasman this season to try to resurrect his international career.
“I've always known I can play all formats,” says Ronchi, “I'm a keeper primarily, and if I keep well and then score some runs at the back of all that”.
And he's been in prolific run-scoring form. In this week's Plunket Shield match against the Northern Knights he scored a century in each innings.
An aggressive lower order player, there's a strong feeling that he could get his wish and be fast-tracked into the BlackCaps.
“If that stuff happens that would be great, but I don't want it to put me off the task of doing what I have to for Wellington,” he says.
Based in Western Australia, he's played for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash, and he played seven times for Australia before falling from favour.
He becomes eligible for the BlackCaps next month, and will be fighting for a spot in the team along with the likes of keeper-batsman BJ Watling.
Conceivably he could debut against South Africa a week later, on January 20.
3 News
source: newshub archive
