Leicestershire announces replacement for Sharjeel Khan

On March 15, Leicestershire announced New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi’s signing as their second foreign player for this season’s Natwest T20 Blast. Ronchi will be playing all 14 group games and has been signed as a replacement for Pakistani batsman Sharjeel Khan, who was charged with breaching the anti-corruption code during the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The 35-year old Ronchi has scored 1,619 runs in T20 cricket at a strike rate of 141.89 and has also featured in 110 limited-overs games plus four Tests. He played in the recent One-Day International series against South Africa but scored just nine runs from three matches.

The explosive batsman has played county cricket before for Somerset and Warwickshire. “I am delighted to have signed with Leicestershire Foxes for the NatWest T20 Blast. I love playing county cricket and can’t wait to get started with my new teammates,” said Ronchi.

“It seems like an exciting time at the club with a few personnel changes and talented additions to the squad. I hope I can make a difference both on and off the field and contribute to a successful campaign.”

Leicestershire finished at the bottom of the North group last season in the Natwest T20 Blast, winning only four of their fourteen games, and were no better in the 50-over competition, in which they won just two of eight games. Another overseas player who will join Ronchi is South African batsmen Cameron Delport and help the side record better stats this time around.

Leicestershire Head Coach said they were delighted to sign Luke, who will offer dynamism and power to their batting line-up.

“We are determined to improve in white ball cricket in 2017 and Luke will help us to do that in NatWest T20 Blast. Luke has played for a very good New Zealand side over the last few years and we are excited about him joining us in July.”