Ronchi admits pre-World Cup nerves in Kiwi camp

Luke-Ronchi;-New-Zealand;-Cricket-World-Cup

Luke Ronchi said the nervous excitement is likely to draw out the best of the players when they launch New Zealand's first World Cup campaign on home soil in 23 years. (Matt Dunham/AP)

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi says nerves are taut in the New Zealand team ahead of its opening Cricket World Cup match against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

But Ronchi said the nervous excitement is likely to draw out the best of the players when they launch New Zealand’s first World Cup campaign on home soil in 23 years.

Ronchi has become a key player for New Zealand with his power-hitting in the lower order, boosting the team since transferring his allegiance to the country of his birth after having played limited-overs internationals for Australia.

Ronchi refuted suggestions that New Zealand will go into the tournament as favourites given the Black Caps’ impressive recent form, preferring the term "contenders."

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