Across the Tasman

[PowerBug]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/553802.html

West Australian Wicket-Keeper Luke Ronchi is on the move to kiwi land as chances of playing in Australia are very difficult to come by, having been overtaken by Wade, Paine, Haddin, and possibly even Nevill.

"I am heading across the Tasman with no guarantees but at 30 years of age I feel that I still have a lot to offer at the very highest level and I am looking forward to making the move with my family."

Ronchi said.

From the ICC:

"Where a male player is seeking to qualify to play for a Full Member, he must not have participated in an international match for any other Full Member during the immediately preceding four years."

So he may play for NZ in January 2013, as his last NAT game for Australia was Jan 2009.

[Cicjose]

lol there is no way he will play for NZ

[TheMailman]

Well his chances are much bigger there than here

As PB points out there are probably at least 4-6 keepers needing to be out before he gets a game

[Cicjose]

by the time he is eligible he will have forced in retirement

[PowerBug]

by the time he is eligible he will have forced in retirement

He is 30yo atm, he'll be eligible next year. ???

[Bazinga]

by the time he is eligible he will have forced in retirement

He is 30yo atm, he'll be eligible next year. ???

Really?? I thought 2013 was in ten years time  :P

[PowerBug]

by the time he is eligible he will have forced in retirement

He is 30yo atm, he'll be eligible next year. ???

Really?? I thought 2013 was in ten years time  :P

Yeah i know, so what i'm asking cic is do you think that Ronchi will be forced into retirement this year?? If so, why??

[Cicjose]

because he will not get opportunity as the NZ keeper because there are at least 7 wicket-keepers ahead of him depending on what club he chooses

McCullum Young and Watling, Van Wyk, Peter McGlashan, Craig Kieswetter, Derek de Boorder would be all ahead of him as keepers for NZ domestic sides

so even if he managed to get past any of them by which time the NZ selectors would have bypassed him as a viable option whether short or long term

[TheMailman]

You don't actually know whether he won't get opputunities

I don't take him for an idiot. He obviously has thought this through. A move to NZ is pretty big just for a job.

[PowerBug]

because he will not get opportunity as the NZ keeper because there are at least 7 wicket-keepers ahead of him depending on what club he chooses

McCullum Young and Watling, Van Wyk, Peter McGlashan, Craig Kieswetter, Derek de Boorder would be all ahead of him as keepers for NZ domestic sides

so even if he managed to get past any of them by which time the NZ selectors would have bypassed him as a viable option whether short or long term

Craig Kiesweetter is English and was born in South Africa, how can he play for New Zealand?? Also is that Morne Van Wyk, as he's South African.

[TheMailman]

Kieswetter definately cannot play for NZ, period.

Kruger Van Wyk is in the exact same boat as Ronchi. He moved from SA to get gametime

De Boorder won't make it past domestic level. He played in the Under 19's World Cup but he hasn't been anywhere near international level.

Mcglashan is aged 32 played only 4 games in 2009.

So really Ronchi is about equal 3rd (if he goes) competing with McCullum, Young and Watling

Much easier than Paine, Haddin and Wade if you ask me.

Good on him I say

[PowerBug]

You don't actually know whether he won't get opputunities

I don't take him for an idiot. He obviously has thought this through. A move to NZ is pretty big just for a job.

Very True, he wouldn't have gone if his chances of playing for his nation were worse. And your last post justifies that it's better in NZ than in Australia. Good Work Mailman. :)

[Cookie311993]

Brendan McCullum has pretty much given up the gloves. The last test series when NZ were in Australia, the commentators said McCullum was focusing on his batting to be a pure opening batsman. Young and Wattling are battling for the position plus now Ronchi. Young fell out of favor after a poor tour against Australia . Wattling was the preferred choice in the next tour before getting injured where Van Wyk was next man in. Ronchi has a good chance

[Jay]

its a risky move by Luke. I rate him as a first class, short-form cricketer...not much more than that IMO

[Hagebear]

Good on him for having a crack, but i reckon its pretty unlikely he'll get a gig. I cant see why NZ would pick an 'average' 30 yr old wicket keeper. Not sure how that would be recieved in NZ??