Ronchi sets tone for Black Caps

* There’s lots of great content on the ICC website for the ICC Champion Trophy and ICC Women’s World Cup. A video of Luke Ronchi batting yesterday is available HERE

Luke Ronchi was in fine form for New Zealand during their rain-affected ICC Champions Trophy opener against Australia.

Leicestershire Foxes’ second NatWest T20 Blast overseas player struck nine fours and a trio of sixes in a sparkling innings of 65 from just 43 balls at the top of the order.

New Zealand’s innings was reduced to 46 overs and they were ultimately bowled out for 291 an over shy of their allocation, captain Kane Williamson (100) also excelling with a typically measured knock.

Another delay meant that Australia's innings was reduced by a further 13 overs, the revised target being 235 from 33 overs. They reached 53-3 after 9 overs when the heaviest rain of the day swept across the ground, causing the match to be abandoned.

Ronchi, had scored 50 in the warm-up game against India at The Oval, played the type of innings at the top of an innings that gives the opposition captain a real headache. The batsman was prepared to hit the ball over the top throughout, producing a full array of aggressive shots.

It was very hard for Steve Smith to set a field to Ronchi, who either picked gaps, hit the ball in unusual areas or simply smashed the ball over fielders, even when they were right on the boundary.

Ronchi’s best stroke arrived when creating himself some room to drive a six over extra cover. The 'keeper moved to 24 not out off 17 balls as New Zealand progressed to 67-1 after 10.3 overs when a shower arrived.

Leicestershire's overseas star continued on his way upon the resumption, including a four that was struck powerfully over mid-on and a quirky uppercut for six over the fielder on the third man boundary.

Ronchi posted 50 from only 33 balls, hitting seven fours and a brace of sixes along the way. He then hit two strokes at the end of Pat Cummins' fifth over to demonstrate his authority; a dismissive pull was sent over mid-on before the batsman sent a maximum over the bowler's head.

The batsman was put down in that over and lost his wicket in the next offering, caught by Glenn Maxwell at backward point off John Hastings as his highly entertaining knock came to its conclusion.

The Black Caps looked set for a score in excess of 300 but they lost their final seven wickets for 37 runs as Josh Hazlewood (6-55) profited.

In reply, Adam Milne, Trent Boult and Tim Southee all caught the eye with the ball as Australia lost early wickets before a deluge arrived, the sides taking one point apiece from their opening fixture.

* Thanks to Matthew Lewis and Getty Images for the photo of Luke Ronchi as he walked to the middle with Martin Guptill.