D'virke born wicky hopeful

Western Australian wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi will pursue a career in New Zealand in a bid to win a place in their national side, according to the ESPN Cricinfo website.

Dannevirke-born Ronchi has told his teammates of his decision and he will finish his commitments with the Warriors this summer before heading to New Zealand next season.

The 30-year-old, who Herald on Sunday reports is in the IPL T20 League mix with fellow Australia Moises Henriques, has played four ODIs and three Twenty20s for Australia in 2008 and 2009 when he was second in line to Brad Haddin, but he lost his place in the state side towards the end of 2008-09.

He has struggled to hold down his Sheffield Shield spot since then, although he has made two Ryobi Cup hundreds this season.

Matthew Wade, Tim Paine and perhaps Peter Nevill have eclipsed Ronchi since and his chances of further games for Australia were slim. The Ronchi family moved to Perth when he was 6 years old.

Under the ICC's qualification rules, Ronchi will be eligible to play for New Zealand next January, having last played for Australia in January 2009.

Ronchi knew the move was a risk but he felt it was his best chance to play international cricket again.

"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. "I have been around so many outstanding players, coaches and administration staff in my time at the Waca and I can't thank them enough for the support they have provided to me over the past decade."

The Black Caps having sifted through five wickys in all formats over the past two years. Gareth Hopkins and Reece Young have been tried and discarded, while Brendon McCullum no longer keeps in test cricket.

BJ Watling was behind the stumps against Zimbabwe, edging out Devon Hotel Central Districts Stag wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk.