Ronchi says New Zealand fully motivated ahead of opener

Williamson is preparing to take charge of his first major 50-over tournament since replacing Brendon McCullum as captain in 2015. New Zealand was beaten by 45 runs at the Oval by India in a rain-affected warm-up clash on Sunday, after being bowled out for just 189. 

But Ronchi says that the New Zealand players will be fully motivated to win when they start the tournament against Australia at Edgbaston on 2 June. Ronchi said: “Kane is going to be Kane. He knows how to get the guys ticking and he has his ways of working things. “But for tournaments like this I don’t think you need any extra motivation to do well. If you are not up for it then you might as well jump on the plane and go home. Everyone wants to win and wants to do well, so I don’t think there is any need for extra motivation.” 

Wicketkeeper Ronchi opened the batting for New Zealand in its defeat by India and hit 66 runs off 63 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes as wickets fell around him, with the Black Caps bowled out in just 38.4 overs. 

And Ronchi says the key to success at the ICC Champions Trophy is to play sensible cricket and not set targets.

He added: “I think you just want to play as well as you can and bowl as well as you can bowl and bat as well as you can bat. “If that means you make 350 to 400 runs then brilliant and if you bowl a team out for 200 then you have to chase that.”

“The scores are going to be the scores and I don’t think you set out to score 400. Because if you are setting that as your benchmark then that is miles away in 50 overs,” he added.

New Zealand plays Sri Lanka in a final warm-up at Edgbaston on 30 May.