Christchurch, July 17: Luke Ronchi will resign from his position as the batting coach of the New Zealand cricket team. He is set to become the new head coach of the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League (BBL).
Ronchi will continue working with the New Zealand team during their tour of India in October and will join the Renegades after the series concludes. He has played international cricket for both Australia and New Zealand. Ronchi took on the role of full-time batting coach for New Zealand in 2020, following the vacancy left by Peter Fulton, who became the head coach of Canterbury.
Ronchi expressed that working with the national team has been a dream come true. He stated that it has been a privilege to work alongside players and coaching staff for so many years. His primary goal has always been to enhance the performance of the team’s batsmen at the international level. He mentioned having many memorable moments with the team that he will cherish forever.
Under Ronchi’s tenure, the New Zealand team achieved significant successes. They won the ICC World Test Championship title for the first time in 2021. Additionally, they reached the finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in both 2021 and 2026. New Zealand also defeated India 3-0 in a Test series on Indian soil in 2024. The team performed well in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, winning a 2-1 ODI series against India in January and a 2-1 Test series against England in June on their home ground.
New Zealand’s Test captain, Tom Latham, praised Ronchi highly. He noted that Ronchi has been one of the most crucial members of the team. As a player and later as a coach, he played a significant role in strengthening the team’s environment and culture. Latham remarked that many players improved under Ronchi’s coaching. He consistently worked hard for the team’s success, which was evident on the field. Latham added that the team would surely miss Ronchi, but all players wish him well on his new journey.
Leave a Comment