Luke Ronchi may open for New Zealand in India

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has said that wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi could be one of the contenders for a place in the Test XI as the side looks for an opening batsman who can combat spin on the tour of India.

Hesson said that New Zealand’s regular opening pair of Martin Guptill and Tom Latham were likely for the first Test in Kanpur, from September 22, but the side had back-up options in Ronchi, Mitchell Santner and Henry Nicholls. Ronchi has played only one Test so far — against England at Headingley last year.

“It’s not your traditional New Zealand opener that you require over there; you need guys who can score against spin, find ways to rotate the strike and keep the game moving,” Hesson was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz. “It does (bring Ronchi into the mix). Luke’s there as a back-up batsman as well as a back-up keeper. His ability against spin certainly makes him an option.”

Hesson said the selection of the line-up would be influenced by the likelihood of spinners, particularly R. Ashwin, opening the bowling for India or being brought into the attack early on.

“Seamers if anything might bowl two-three overs up front and it’s more likely they’re going to have spin at one end to start with if they’re going to play three of them,” he said. “And if you’ve got two left-handers against Ashwin at the top it’s going to be a big challenge for us. We have to assess conditions and pick what we think is the right mix.”

Hesson also stated that New Zealand could consider three spinners if the Kanpur pitch looks dry. If implemented, the three-spinner strategy will see offspinner Mark Craig’s return to the New Zealand side. Craig has played only one of New Zealand’s six Tests this year — against Australia in Wellington — but Hesson felt the offspinner had come back well from the 2015-16 season where he took 10 wickets in four Tests.