No matter the scenario, Luke Ronchi won’t lift his foot off the batting accelerator during the World Cup.

The big-hitting wicketkeeper has become an integral part of New Zealand’s squad for the tournament which starts on Saturday when they play Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval.

Ronchi, 33, has forged a reputation as a ferocious batting finisher, launching some spectacular innings over the last five months during the Black Caps’ elongated World Cup buildup.

Along with several rapid cameos, one innings stands out – his remarkable 170 off 99 balls against Sri Lanka in Dunedin last month.

Adding 267 for the sixth wicket with Grant Elliott, Ronchi smashed the highest ODI score by any No.7 batsman.

He arrived at the crease with New Zealand in deep trouble yet still unleashed bold shots from the outset.

“Unless it (the pitch) is as green as all crazy, then that’s the way I’ve always batted,” he said.

“My role is to finish off an innings but if we get in the position where we’ve lost early wickets, it’s just to go out and bat.

Born in Dannevirke in Manawatu, Ronchi crossed the Tasman at an early age and spent most of his formative years in Perth.

He was in and out of the Western Australian state team for a decade and played four ODIs for Australia on their 2008 tour of the West Indies in place of an injured Brad Haddin.

Ronchi thrashed 22-ball half century in St Kitts but never got another chance in the green and gold, triggering a return to New Zealand three years ago.

A Black Caps call-up followed in 2013 and after a patchy start – an experiment as opener largely failed – he has settled into his role.

“To be where I am now is pretty amazing,” said Ronchi, who is the first player after former South African and Australian opener Kepler Wessels to play for two full ICC member nations.

“It’s not something I would have thought would be the case a few years ago.

“I’m thankful and grateful for the position I’m in I guess and I just want to make the most of it.”

Ronchi is calling on his teammates to show the same mindset that has carried him to a memorable summer.

He doesn’t mean they should necessarily match his strike rate of 125 or his average that has climbed past 35.

Instead he says self-belief should eclipse any negative sentiment.

“Everyone’s saying we’re in with a good shot. We’ve got to think that, we don’t want to go in doubting ourselves,” he said.

“It’s in our home country, we know what we’re heading into.

“If we go out and perform the way we should, then we’ve got a good chance.”