Cricket / New Zealand assistant coach fields vs India in 2nd ODI due to lack of fit players

The New Zealand team is on the verge of making a brilliant comeback after the 5-0 drubbing that they received at the hands of the visiting Indian team. The Black Caps won the first ODI at Hamilton by making a record chase, while in the second ODI in Auckland, the home side is nearing a series-winning victory, despite making 273 batting first.

India had won the toss and Kohli decided to bowl first. Yuzvendra Chahal and Shardul Thakur shined with the ball, picking three and two wickets respectively. However, Guptill’s 79 and Taylor’s 73* proved to be enough for the Kiwis to reach 273 for 8 in 50 overs. When the team came out to field, unfortunately, they found themselves short of enough fit players as a substitute and had to call upon a former player and current coaching staff member for help.

Luke Ronchi, fielding coach comes out at a substitute

Former New Zealand and Australia wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi, who is currently the fielding coach of the Black Caps, was seen wearing the substitute jersey in the dugout to the surprise of many. Interestingly, New Zealand named just one player – Mitchell Santner – as their substitute, before the game began. However, he too became a victim of a stomach bug and couldn’t come out to the field when required.

Hence, the 2015 World Cup finalist, Luke Ronchi, stepped up to the plate and walked out as a substitute fielder. Apart from Santner, skipper Kane Williamson is currently nursing a shoulder injury while Scott Kuggeleijn has the flu. In the 37th over of India’s innings, the 28-year-old former Kiwi keeper-batsman was seen walking out on the field in the New Zealand kit.

This is not the first time New Zealand have found themselves in such a situation. In the Sydney Test against Australia, the Kiwis found themselves in a similar problem, as they suffered a number of injuries and sickness setbacks. They were forced to ask their batting coach and former opener Peter Fulton to sign up as a substitute and come onto the field.

Despite Shreyas Iyer’s fighting half-century, India finds themselves struggling at 231/8 chasing 274 to win when this article was written. Debutant Kyle Jamieson picked the wickets of Shaw (24), Saini (45), while Bennett removed Agarwal (3) and Iyer (52), as Southee took care of Virat Kohli (15), as the visitors stare down an ODI series loss.