On This Day in Cricket: Ronchi & Elliott’s Record 267-Run Stand for New Zealand
On January 23, 2015, cricket fans witnessed one of the most memorable comebacks in One-Day International (ODI) history as New Zealand clashed with Sri Lanka in the fifth and final match of their series at the University Oval in Dunedin. In what seemed to be a dire situation for the hosts, the Black Caps were reeling at 93 runs for the loss of five wickets halfway through their innings. But from that precarious position emerged a masterclass of aggression, resilience, and tactical batting that would go down in cricketing folklore.
Enter Luke Ronchi and Grant Elliott. Coming together when the match seemed to be slipping away from New Zealand, the pair immediately set about rebuilding the innings. What followed was a breathtaking display of stroke play, smart running, and fearless intent as they dismantled the Sri Lankan bowling attack and flipped the match entirely on its head.
Ronchi, the hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman, was particularly devastating. In just 99 balls, he blasted an unbeaten 170 runs, his maiden ODI century studded with 14 fours and nine maximums as he took charge of the proceedings. Elliott complemented him superbly, anchoring the partnership with a composed 104 not out from 96 deliveries. Their unbroken 267-run partnership for the sixth wicket was not only a masterstroke of counter-attack but also set a world record for the highest sixth-wicket stand in ODI cricket.
Enter Luke Ronchi and Grant Elliott. Coming together when the match seemed to be slipping away from New Zealand, the pair immediately set about rebuilding the innings. What followed was a breathtaking display of stroke play, smart running, and fearless intent as they dismantled the Sri Lankan bowling attack and flipped the match entirely on its head.
Ronchi, the hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman, was particularly devastating. In just 99 balls, he blasted an unbeaten 170 runs, his maiden ODI century studded with 14 fours and nine maximums as he took charge of the proceedings. Elliott complemented him superbly, anchoring the partnership with a composed 104 not out from 96 deliveries. Their unbroken 267-run partnership for the sixth wicket was not only a masterstroke of counter-attack but also set a world record for the highest sixth-wicket stand in ODI cricket.
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