The Sky Is The Limit

LUKE Ronchi was born to play cricket. One of the most exciting young cricketers in Australia, the 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman is a gifted natural athlete capable of playing every shot in the book.

He underlined this by making 90 and 33 for Western Australia in his Australian Domestic First Class (Pura Cup) debut against Tasmania at the WACA Ground in December.

His 90 in over three hours at the crease rescuing WA after a middle order collapse and underlined his growing maturity

"I was pretty nervous sitting around in the change-rooms but as soon as I went out to bat and faced a few balls I was pretty relaxed," the right-hander said.

"I just tried to have fun and it went from there."

Ronchi handled the extra pressure like a consummate professional.

"There was just constant pressure the whole way through the game, you don't get any let offs and you have to concentrate through four days of cricket," he said.

"It was more disciplined than I'd faced before but the pace wasn't a problem."

His state is already home to the nation's two best keeper-batsmen, Adam Gilchrist and Ryan Campbell. Ronchi said it can be frustrating having to wait in line but it also has its advantages.

"It is also good in a way having those two in front of you as they can pass on a lot information, I've learnt a lot from Gilly and Cambo."

Ronchi expected to make his first-class debut this season

"I knew Ryan Campbell was going to play a lot for Australia A and I'd already worked out at the start of the season which games he was away for and I was aiming to play in those," he said.

According to Ronchi he has not had any offers, categorically denying he had been approached by any other states seeking his services. With such potential the WACA will have to be on its guard if it is to secure Ronchi for the future. Gilchrist and Campbell are likely to play on for a number of years and the talented right-hander may find his opportunities limited in his home state.

Ronchi debuted for WA in January 2002 against Victoria in an Australian Domestic Limitted Overs (ING Cup) game at the WACA. But it was when he went to England that Ronchi found the form that has catapulted him onto the national scene.

Ronchi played for Hampshire in the Southern Electric Premier League, one of England's third tier cricket competions behind County and Minor-County cricket.

"I played for three seasons and it really improved my game," he said. "One year all of a sudden I just scored a whole heap of runs and it just sort of kept going from there."

One particular one-day game in England highlights why Ronchi is considered such an explosive batsman. Producing a hundred in 31 balls, including 12 towering sixes.

Though Ronchi was born in New Zealand there is no question to where his loyalties lie. The full-time professional cricketer is adamant that his only intention is to play for Australia, "definitely not" New Zealand.

The gifted young man has a mature head on his shoulders and a work ethic that will help him reach the lofty goals he has set himself. "I definitely want to play test and one-day cricket," he said.

There are a growing number of cricket fans who think Ronchi might just get his wish.