19 Jun 2015

Ronchi replaces Anderson at Somerset

1:20 pm on 19 June 2015

The New Zealand limited overs wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi is to replace allrounder Corey Anderson at English County Cricket Club Somerset.

Luke Ronchi

Luke Ronchi Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Anderson has returned home because of an ongoing back problem.

Ronchi will join Somerset next week following the conclusion of the Black Caps tour of England and in time to play their last five group matches in the local Twenty20 competition.

Ronchi has been a regular in the New Zealand limited-overs side over the last two years and made his Test debut against England in Leeds recently, scoring a 70-ball 88 in the first innings.

He averages 32.87 in T20 internationals with 263 runs from 15 games. In T20s overall, Ronchi has scored 1074 runs in 75 matches at an average of 18.84.

Somerset director of cricket Matthew Maynard says Luke is a quality player with plenty of International experience, any new addition must add something to the squad and he will certainly do that.

Maynard says Ronchi is an excellent keeper, an explosive batsman and he is sure that their supporters will enjoy the brand of cricket that he plays.

Somerset had signed Anderson for the latter half of the season but were forced to make a change after the allrounder suffered a back injury which ruled him out of New Zealand's tour of England.

Somerset is currently sixth in their group with five points from six games.