EP024 - LUKE RONCHI - DUAL NATIONAL ATHLETE + NATIONAL COACH

Today I speak to an old friend, kiwi-brother, Luke Ronchi.

Born in New Zealand but raised mostly in Australia, Luke became a cricketing rarity by representing both countries. His first international incarnation came for Australia in the West Indies in 2008 when he stood in for the injured Brad Haddin in four ODIs and a Twenty20 and he showed he was not out of his depth: his glovework was brilliant and at the tiny Warner Park in St Kitts he clubbed a 22-ball half-century, then the equal third-quickest ODI fifty scored by an Australia player.

As New Zealand rode an ODI wave that eventually culminated with defeat at the final of the 2015 World Cup, Ronchi made a decent case for himself as a lower-order batsman. He smashed 170 off 99 balls against Sri Lanka in Dunedin in 2014, then the highest score ever by a No. 7 batsman and, in May 2015, seven years after making his international debut, Ronchi earned his maiden Test cap. A half-century in the first innings at Headingley helped his side level a two-match series against England 1-1. Ronchi played three more Tests, two World T20s and two Champions Trophies before calling time on his international career in June 2017.

Nowadays, with NZ a serious powerhouse of talent and prowess, Luke is dominating his new role in world cricket as NZ's Batting Coach and this is where we pick up the story as we discuss the importance of cultivating a values-driven culture if you want to succeed; cognitive flexibility i.e. shifting mindsets for different formats; allowing your values to shape your identity; the importance of systems; the 'win or learn' mentality of growth mindset; and, one of my favourite topics - pressure.

Enjoy listening to a man who has represented two countries, and is a pillar of excellence, both personally and professionally.

FOLLOW LUKE HERE

Instagram: @roncs04

Twitter: @ronchi04