Cricket: Ronchi signs with Somerset

New Zealand's wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi. Photo / AP

Corey Anderson's loss is Luke Ronchi's gain with the New Zealand wicketkeeper/batsman signed to play five domestic Twenty20 fixtures for Somerset.

The English county urgently sought a replacement after Anderson's England tour was ended by a back injury suffered during the first test at Lord's.

"Luke is a quality player with plenty of international experience," said Somerset director of cricket Matthew Maynard.

"He is an excellent wicket-keeper, an explosive batsman, and I am sure our members and supporters will enjoy the brand of cricket that he plays."

The 34-year-old will be available to play his first match against Middlesex next week after the conclusion of New Zealand's tour.

His ability to shimmy into position with exceptional bat speed, backed by dashing between the wickets, make him at his most valuable in limited overs formats.
Take the six when New Zealand required 12 off 18 balls to win the third ODI at Southampton. That effectively took England out of the equation with four wickets to spare, despite Ronchi getting out shortly afterwards.
His ODI innings on January 23 against Sri Lanka in Dunedin remains the touchstone of his career to date.
After New Zealand slumped to 93 for five after 20 overs, Ronchi and Grant Elliott conjured up a world record unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership of 267 to guide New Zealand to 360 for five by innings' end.
"The situation meant we needed to bat for as long as we could," Ronchi said of his 170 from 99 balls, the highest score by a No.7 in ODIs. "To get a hundred and push to a score that was defendable provided a lot of fun and joy."
He can turn games in their microcosmic moments and, in 10 T20 innings for New Zealand, has a 148 strike rate and average of 36 as proof.
However, he has a tough act to follow as Somerset's overseas player, with West Indies batsman Chris Gayle thrilling fans in a brief but memorable stint at the club before heading off to this season's Twenty20 Caribbean Premier League.

Gayle compiled 328 runs in three T20 Blast innings. The highlight of his time was an innings of 151 not out off just 62 balls on home debut against Kent last month.

He hit 10 fours and 15 sixes at Somerset's home ground of Taunton, yet Kent still came away with a three-run win after defending 227 for seven.

His lowest score was 85 not out against Hampshire.