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.
horse
Guest
Watling just dropped Khawaja. I'll bet Luke Ronchi would have held the catch. NZ should have listened to Daniel!
Bobbo7
Guest
Watling is a pretty tidy keeper. Can't really recall him having any shockers. They need blues like Taylor, McCullum and the howlers to step up north an they need Ronchi
Targa
Guest
Watling is a much better keeper than Ronchi.
13th Man
Guest
I do agree with you Dan, Ronchi should play, primarily because he knows the WACA ground well but also because he is a better keeper than Watling. I think Watling can be a very very good batsman but he is an average keeper. Look at guys like McCullum and Sangakarra who's batting got even better after they took up the gloves. Drop Mark Craig, play 4 quicks and Williamson can be the spinner.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Hesson has already said Ronchi isn't going to play - I don't think his batting is as good as it's cracked up to be at the moment, his ODI form has been terrible this year. He smashed 170* against Sri Lanka in New Zealand in January, but since then it's been a steady diet of single figure scores and the occasional double figures knock. I think the Aussies would be quite happy to see him walking to the crease.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Neesham contributed a match total of 20 overs, 1/111, and 6 runs from 40 balls at the Gabba. I'm pretty sure Ronchi would achieve more with the bat, and his fielding would be of more value than Neesham's bowling.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Exactly Dom. Can't see it happening Daniel, their bowling was so underdone in Brisbane there's no way they will go into this game even lighter for bowlers.
Dom
Guest
Not sure if they want to lose a bowler from their XI after struggling to take wickets already in the first test...