New Zealand's wicket-keeper/batsman Luke Ronchi made his Test debut against England on Friday during the second Test at Headingley. The 34-year-old played a wonderful knock to help the Kiwis steady their innings and was happy with his efforts.
New Zealand were put into bat after England skipper Alastair Cook won the toss and chose to field. The Kiwis faced an early slump when Martin Guptil and Kane Williamson were dismissed in the same over by James Anderson and they were down to two for two.
Tom Latham and Ronchi built a partnership later to steady the New Zealand innings. They added 120 runs together and Ronchi was striking the ball pretty well. On a rain-curtailed day, only 65 overs were bowled but the Black Caps managed to find the odd boundaries at regular intervals to power them to 297 for eight at the end of Day 1.
Ronchi, who made 88 from just 70 balls, missed out on the fastest century on a Test debut. The record is held by Shikhar Dhawan, who achieved the feat in just 85 balls against Australia in Mohali in 2013. Ronchi replaced BJ Watling for the second Test and did not disappoint Kiwi coach Mike Hesson and skipper Brendon McCullum.
"To make [nearly] 300 on day one in 65 overs is a pretty good effort, especially after being two for two. For me I'm 34, playing my first Test, just trying to enjoy it as much as I could and enjoy the ride," Ronchi told the reporters after the end of day's play.
Ronchi made his Test debut at the age of 34 and went on to play his natural game on a wicket that was providing assistance to the English bowlers. He took on Moeen Ali and kept on finding the fence quite often during his knock of 88 runs on Day 1 of the second Test as Headingley on Friday.
"I've dreamt of playing Test cricket for as long as I've known the game I wanted to make sure I didn't go out there and not play naturally; it'd be an injustice in my mind. I can't complain; I got 88 and am more than happy with that," Ronchi said.
