Luke Ronchi (born 23 April 1981) is a New Zealand–Australian cricket coach and former cricketer. He holds the distinction of being the only player in cricketing history to have represented both the Australia national cricket team and the New Zealand national cricket team in international cricket. A wicket-keeper batsman known for his aggressive stroke play, Ronchi was part of the New Zealand squad that finished as runners-up at the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
| Full name | Luke Ronchi |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 April 1981, Dannevirke, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealand–Australian |
| Education | Kent Street Senior High School, Perth |
| Role | Wicket-keeper, right-hand batsman |
| Domestic teams | Western Australia; Wellington |
| International teams | Australia; New Zealand |
| Test debut (NZ) | May 2015 vs England |
| ODI debut (NZ) | May 2013 |
| Retired | 21 June 2017 (international cricket) |
Ronchi was born in Dannevirke, in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand, and emigrated with his family to Perth, Western Australia, at an early age. He was educated at Kent Street Senior High School in Perth. He developed as an aggressive batsman who kept wicket in the field.
Ronchi made his debut for Western Australia in January 2002. He spent several years as the second-choice wicket-keeper behind Ryan Campbell, and following Campbell's retirement in 2006 became Western Australia's first-choice keeper.
Between 2007 and 2009, he served as Australia's second-choice wicket-keeper behind Brad Haddin and played a number of matches for Australia A. When Haddin broke his finger during Australia's 2008 tour of the West Indies, Ronchi was called up to the senior side, playing one Twenty20 International and four One-Day Internationals. He played two further T20Is against the touring South African team in 2009.
In February 2012, Ronchi announced his intention to return to New Zealand to further his cricketing career, and the following month signed with the Wellington cricket team. He made his ODI debut for New Zealand in May 2013, thereby becoming the first player to represent both Australia and New Zealand at international level.
Ronchi made his Test debut for New Zealand in May 2015 against England, scoring 88 off 70 balls. His first-innings runs were critical in steadying New Zealand after a shaky start on an overcast morning in Leeds. New Zealand went on to win the match — only their fifth Test victory in England, and their first on English soil in nearly 30 years.
Beyond international and domestic first-class cricket, Ronchi played Twenty20 cricket for a range of franchise teams.
Ronchi announced his retirement from international cricket on 21 June 2017. Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, under whom Ronchi spent much of his career, described him as someone who "embodied all that is important about the Black Caps culture. Selfless, respectful, humble and hard working."
Ronchi is unique in international cricket for having played for two full-member nations — Australia and New Zealand — at senior international level. His move from Perth to Wellington in 2012 enabled him to revive his international career, culminating in his role with the New Zealand side that reached the final of the 2015 Cricket World Cup.