Raval still seeks maiden test ton
JEET Raval doesn’t have 99 problems, but a century is one.
The Black Caps opener fell 16 runs short of a maiden test century in Hamilton yesterday as New Zealand finished day one of the second cricket test against the West Indies at 286-7 off 87 overs.
Raval was New Zealand’s topscorer on a day when it appeared they would rub the tourists out of contention in the two-match series they lead 1-0, before the Windies dragged their way back into contention at Seddon Park over the second and third sessions.
In the wider scheme of things for a cricket opener, not making a ton in your first nine tests is hardly worth breaking sweat – especially when you’re averaging 47.61.
But Raval would love to cap off a fine 13 months since his test debut with his maiden ton after falling for 84 – his second-best tally – when becoming the third caught behind victim of Windies wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich.
In 14 test innings, he’s only once been out in single figures and now has 10 scores between 33 and his best of 88, made against South Africa at the same venue in March this year.
Given his ability displayed at the highest level to waltz through what should be the toughest time for an opener – against the quicks with the hard, swing-friendly new ball – you’d expect the Gujaratborn left-hander to then quickstep his way through the middle of an innings.
But there are often lulls in his batting tempo.
Yesterday, he zoomed off the grid with a number of well-timed boundaries, then had moments of muddles as New Zealand’s quest for a commanding series win stalled.
He’s yet to play an innings where he has been the dominant figure. But that usually matters not a jot to a team that has skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor following him in the order, and the potentially lethal Colin de Grandhomme often lurking.
Initially a dasher when he came to New Zealand as a teenager with his family from Ahmedabad, Raval had to adapt his manner and technique for New Zealand wickets.
There’s not a lot of memorable shots in a Raval knock. He was on 42 when Williamson came to the wicket and within 10 minutes, the skipper had drawn a collective breath from the crowd with a couple of majestic drives.
But Raval did include some sweetly-timed off drives early, as the vegetarian was able to feast on a diet of limp lettuce from the West Indian bowlers.
After lunch, Raval had to rely on his patience as the tourists produced a more concerted and accurate spell of bowling.
Williamson fell before the opener when he tickled a Miguel Cummins delivery down the leg side to Dowrich when on 42.
Raval finally went after 157 balls and 231 minutes when Shannon Gabriel induced an outside edge to Dowrich and the wicketkeeper grabbed his fourth scalp in succession – after a heartjumping juggle – to remove Ross Taylor as New Zealand slumped to 186-4.
Henry Nicholls went lbw to Kemar Roach only three runs later but de Grandhomme, fresh from his maiden ton at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, swayed matters back towards level pegging with a series of lusty blows.
The allrounder swiped four sixes and five fours in making 58 from 63 deliveries and with a little helper of an innings from Mitchell Santner (24 from 73 balls in a sixth-wicket partnership of 76) allowed the hosts to launch their own mini-comeback.