Archive · 8 Oct 2026
BJ Watling Set to Replace Luke Ronchi as New Zealand Batting Coach
New Zealand plans to make former player BJ Watling its new batting coach.
He will take over from Luke Ronchi after the team’s Test series against India.
Watling will join the team staff on November 16 and work with Ronchi for a short time first.
He is then expected to coach the team during its four-Test tour of Australia.
Watling played 75 Test matches for New Zealand and scored 3,790 runs.
He said he was excited to return and help the team.
Captain Tom Latham praised Watling’s effort and determination as a player.
Former New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter BJ Watling is set to replace Luke Ronchi as the Black Caps’ batting coach.
Watling is due to join the support staff on November 16 and work with Ronchi during a transition period.
He is expected to take over after New Zealand’s India Test series, ahead of a four-match Test tour of Australia.
Watling scored 3,790 runs in 75 Tests, including eight centuries and 19 half-centuries.
New Zealand captain Tom Latham praised Watling’s effort and determination, saying those qualities may carry into his coaching.
- Who
- Former New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter BJ Watling is set to replace Luke Ronchi as batting coach.
- What
- Watling will join the support staff, work through a transition with Ronchi, and then take over the coaching role.
- When
- Watling is due to join on November 16; the handover is expected after the India Test series in early December.
- Where
- New Zealand; the role change is expected ahead of the team’s four-match Test series in Australia.
- Why
- The articles do not state a specific reason for the coaching change; Watling said he was excited to return and contribute.
Incoming coach
Outgoing coach
Coaching transition
Incoming coach
BJ Watling is set to take over as batting coach after joining the support staff and working alongside Ronchi during a transition period.
Outgoing coach
Luke Ronchi is expected to remain in the role through the India Test series and support the transition before Watling takes over.
- Incoming batting coach
- BJ Watling
- Outgoing batting coach
- Luke Ronchi
- Support staff start date
- November 16
- Expected handover
- After the India Test series in early December
- Next tour
- Four-match Test series in Australia
- Watling’s Test record
- 3,790 runs in 75 Tests, including eight centuries and 19 fifties
- Wicketkeeping record
- 265 Test dismissals, a New Zealand national record