As the Trans-Tasman Test series heads to the Wild West, it’s time for New Zealand to fight fire with fire.
The Australian side have their tails up, and will be difficult to resist in the second Test. However, the Kiwis have an unusual asset on their hands, with former Western Australia and Australian keeper Luke Ronchi waiting in the wings.
With touring sides often struggling to come to terms with the hard and fast conditions at the WACA, Ronchi shapes as a Chris Rogers-esque selection, albeit with a very different batting style. Having spent his formative years playing for Western Australia, there will be few surprises for Ronchi in Perth.
If Mitchell Johnson’s pace and ferocity reach anything near his levels of recent WACA performances, the resulting carnage could be brutal. The pace and bounce of the Gabba are a challenge for visiting teams every summer, but the WACA is a unique beast, providing a gladiatorial wasteland that tends to vanquish touring mortals.
Ronchi shapes as an ideal replacement at number six, with James Neesham ruled out of the series through injury. His counter-attacking style and vast experience in Perth conditions make him a crucial inclusion for a must-win match.
Brendon McCullum asked for more fight from his team after the first Test, and Ronchi certainly fits the bill.
His battling qualities were on display earlier this year at Lord’s, where he smashed the English bowlers for 88 runs from just 70 deliveries in his Test debut. New Zealand recovered from 5-144 to post a respectable first innings total of 350, before going on to win the match.
This combination of aggressive batting, combined with his extensive local knowledge and experience should make Ronchi a certainty for the WACA Test. If New Zealand wants to salvage the series, he should suit up at number six, and get ready to tee off against the Mitchells.
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