Luke Ronchi's Top Five Innings

With the World Cup lingering over the horizon, there is an ongoing debate about whether New Zealand can taste World Cup glory for the first time in history.

However, if wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi continues playing like the way he has over the past year, the Black Caps' chances of lifting the coveted World Cup trophy will skyrocket from 50-50 to highly likely.

As a way to celebrate Ronchi's maiden One-Day International century, which came in the recent series against Sri Lanka, I have taken the liberty of accumulating his top five innings in international cricket thus far.

5. 48 vs West Indies at Auckland

Year: 2014

Significance: This is one of Ronchi's most entertaining knocks in the 15 Twenty20 Internationals he has played. During his spectacular innings, Ronchi walloped three boundaries and four sixes as he reached 48 off only 25 balls.

4. 51 not out vs West Indies at Wellington

Year: 2014

Significance: This is not only Ronchi's highest Twenty20 International score to date, but he also hammered four boundaries and two sixes to maintain a strike-rate of 182.14 as he led the Black Caps to a four-wicket win, while also handing them the series as well.

3. 79 vs South Africa at Mount Maunganui

Year: 2014

Significance: This knock came in the match right after Ronchi scored 99. New Zealand were on the verge of being bowled out for a dismal 134, but thanks to Ronchi's heroics, they managed to make 210, which is a far more competitive total.

2. 99 vs South Africa at Mount Maunganui

Year: 2014

Significance: Even though New Zealand lost this match by six wickets, Ronchi helped New Zealand post a total of 230 when they were struggling at 156 for nine. Despite looking absolutely gutted to have fallen one agonising run shy of his century, Ronchi still earned the respect of South Africa pace bowler Dale Steyn, which in itself is an amazing accomplishment.

1. 170 not out vs Sri Lanka at Dunedin

Year: 2015

Significance: Not only was this Ronchi's maiden ODI century, but it was also the highest score made by a number seven batsman in ODI history and the fourth highest score by a New Zealand player in ODI history.

© Cricket World 2015