SPCL star Ronchi blasts England tourists in Perth

Bashley-Rydal cricketer Luke Ronchi snapped up four catches behind the stumps before hitting an unbeaten 34 in Western Australia's drawn match with England in Perth.

Playing only his second First Class match, Ronchi, 21, snared England captain Nasser Hussein, Hampshire's John Crawley, Alec Stewart and Ashley Giles as the injury-ravaged tourists tumbled to a disappointing 221 all out.

Two of Ronchi's victims - Hussein and Giles - came off the bowling of Callum Thorp, a window cleaner from Wanneroo, who finished with 4-58.

Batting at seven, Ronchi emerged from the pavilion at 267-5 to hit 34 not out as Western Australia reached 313-6 at the end of the two-day match.

Recently appointed captain of his Perth Grade club, Ronchi will have pressed his claims for a regular slot in the Western Australia State team through his performance against England.

"Luke's heart is set on making it big time in Australia," confirmed Bashley skipper Neil Taylor.

"The problem is that Adam Gilchrist and Ryan Campbell, Australia's number one and two 'keepers, are ahead of him in the WA pecking order."

Ronchi, who attends Australia's prestigious Academy, won this season's Southern Electric ECB Premier League batting award, scoring 725 runs for the New Forest club.

He has played for Bashley for three of the past four seasons, but Taylor is uncertain whether he will return next year.