But Luke Ronchi’s undefeated century against Otago was a reminder the Wellington gloveman is far from done.
The 35-year-old has endured a disappointing month. First he was dropped from the test team despite having not done much wrong. And then yesterday, while he was peppering the boundary at the University Oval on the way to his 16th first-class, he was axed from the ODI squad.
Ronchi’s sparkling century put a smile on his face and also helped Wellington collect maximum batting bonus points in its drawn match. That was the best the visitors could hope for after more than half the match was lost because of poor weather.
"It helped today with the short boundaries and the wind blowing in that direction. That made a bit of a difference," he said.
"And it was just a nice wicket to bat on. You have to make the most of an opportunity."
Wellington had resumed on 119 for three in reply to Otago’s disappointing first innings total of 208. Most of day two and all of day three was washed out.
Wellington declared at 350 for seven when it had nothing left to play for, but not before Jeetan Patel retired hurt after being struck on the forearm by a Michael Rae delivery.
"We got our four bonus points so it worked out quite well, I suppose.’As for missing out on the ODI team, Ronchi was philosophical.
"It is what it is. I can’t do anything about it. I just have to make as many runs as I can and hopefully they [the selectors] are still looking at me."
Nearly two years ago Ronchi played a quite astonishing innings for the Black Caps, smashing 170 not out against Sri Lanka at the University Oval. But since that wonderful effort, his form has slipped away alarmingly. He did perform well for the Black Caps test side in India recently and arguably deserved a run in the Pakistan series.
When Northern Districts opener Dean Brownlie was called in as cover for Ross Taylor, it must have raised eyebrows in the Wellington camp.
If it annoyed Ronchi, he was not letting on.
"If you’re not disappointed then there is something not quite right. But I have to stay positive ... and do as well as I can for Wellington and hope I get another chance."
Ronchi put his lean form in ODIs down to trying too hard. He would often come into bat with not much of the innings remaining and felt under pressure to do "too much in a short period".
"I just wasn’t going out and playing my natural game.
"I was thinking, right, I’ve got 10 balls — I need to make 15 runs. I was better off going out and just trying to bat."
In other matches, Canterbury held on to beat Auckland by 10 runs in a dramatic finish in Rangiora. Auckland was set a target of 361 and was on track until Ed Nuttall and Kyle Jamieson ripped through the middle and tail order. Nuttall took five for 67 and Jamieson grabbed three for 86 to go with his eight for 74 in the first innings.
In Napier, Central Districts set Northern Districts a daunting target of 450. The visitors came up short, reaching 295 for seven.
● Wellington’s round four match against Central Districts, which was abandoned due to the Kaikoura earthquake, will not be replayed because of logistical complications. Both side were awarded five points apiece.
