Hesson contemplates using Luke Ronchi as backup opener in India

As the Test series against India looms large, New Zealand's think-tank is already contemplating counter measures against a familiar foe - spin. Mike Hesson, the team's head coach, has identified a 

Contingency plan for the opening position in the event that the regular pair of Martin Guptill and Tom Latham struggle to acclimatise themselves to the Indian conditions. Backup keeper Luke Ronchi is in pole position to play as a pure batsman with Hesson also naming Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner amongst those that could do a job for the team at the top.

Ronchi has been a regular member of New Zealand's overseas squads even if he has one Test appearance to show for his travels. Widely considered amongst the best players of spin in the country, Ronchi made his debut against England in Leeds in 2015 where he smashed a 70-ball 88 in New Zealand's series-levelling win before making way immediately after. As New Zealand seek to end their 28-year drought without a Test win in India, Hesson believes Ronchi's ability to turn strike over and keep the scoreboard ticking could hold the team in good stead against the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

"It's not your traditional New Zealand opener that you require over there," Hesson told stuff.co.nz on Sunday (September 11). "You need guys who can score against spin, find ways to rotate the strike and keep the game moving. Luke's there as a backup batsman as well as a backup keeper. His ability against spin certainly makes him an option."

However, Hesson added that Guptill and Latham were most likely to retain their spots for the opening Test in Kanpur from September 22 and that he was only keeping his options open in case the situation merited a quick change of plans. The New Zealand coach also threw his weight behind Guptill, known for a circumspect technique against spin, to improve his modest average of 23 in India.

"Seamers, if anything, might bowl 2-3 overs up front and it's more likely they're going to have spin at one end to start with if they're going to play three of them," said Hesson, referring to the troika of Ashwin, Jadeja and Amit Mishra. "And if you've got two left-handers against Ashwin at the top it's going to be a big challenge for us. We have to assess conditions and pick what we think is the right mix.

"It's important for Martin that he can transfer what he's been training onto the park. That message has been out there a long time. I know he's working hard at it."

Hesson didn't rule out the possibility of New Zealand fielding three spinners themselves. Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner found considerable success during the World T20 and along with offspinner Mark Craig, could form an equally potent spin attack.

"They're a young spin bowling group. Probably Ish and Mitch have found white ball cricket a little easier than Test cricket. They're both evolving nicely and it's about giving them opportunity," Hesson said.

"I've been really pleased with the way Mark Craig has come back from last season. He's made a few changes technically and the ball seems to be coming out really nicely. It's a tough tour, we all acknowledge that. More so because the conditions are so foreign. This is trial by spin and also reverse swing so it's a distinctly different challenge."

New Zealand begin their tour of India with a warm-up game against defending Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai, starting September 16. The three-match Test series will also see games in Kolkata (September 30) and Indore (October 8). This will be followed by a five-match One-Day International series.