Ronchi named Kiwi batting coach

Former international wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi has been named the New Zealand team’s new batting coach, replacing former Test batsman Peter Fulton who stepped down to become head coach of first class side Canterbury.

Ronchi, who finished his international cricket career with New Zealand in 2017, had been working with the national team for the last two years concentrating on fielding and helping with the wicket-keepers.

Fulton stepped down in July after about a year with the national team, having succeeded long-time batting coach Craig McMillan.

The 39-year old Ronchi was born in New Zealand but moved to Australia as a child and played for his adopted country from 2008-2009.

He returned to New Zealand in 2012 and was brought into the national squad the following year.

He played mostly limited overs matches for New Zealand, including at the 2015 World Cup and made his Test debut later that year before he played three further Tests in India in 2016.

Ronchi retired from international cricket in 2017 but had been playing in various Twenty20 leagues around the world until earlier this year.

New Zealand host the West Indies in three Twenty20 matches from Nov. 27 before a two-Test series begins on Dec. 3.