Dad’s lad all grown up

square sixes against ND featuring internationals Scott Kuggeleijn and Neil Wagner, then in the season-ender in Auckland took match figures of 6-124 with his left-arm spin on a rare turning New Zealand pitch.

Fielding is the main facet that requires caution from here.

‘‘It’s completely fine. I’ve barely even felt it [shoulder injury]. It doesn’t restrict me hitting shots; it doesn’t restrict me bowling balls at all. It’s about getting specific with my diving technique and making sure I’m protecting it all the time.

‘‘Every time I dive on my right side I’ve got to make sure I roll, and then whether I’m landing on two hands or sliding on my front and making sure I don’t put too much pressure on that shoulder. It brings in the gym aspect, getting it strong so I can trust it in a game.’’

The big question now is, will Stead dish out a first test cap to Ravindra as soon as June 2 against England at Lord’s, given regular skipper Kane Williamson and spin bowling allrounder Mitchell Santner could be absent if their sides make the IPL playoffs?

‘‘I’ll bat anywhere, bowl anywhere or field anywhere,’’ he said with a grin.

Ravindra’s never played in England but was an avid TV watcher of test matches there over the years.

Usually an opener, left-handed Ravindra could fill any spot in the top six and offer a spin option alongside four pace bowlers. He considers himself an allrounder and wants to contribute in both facets.

‘‘You’ve got to have confidence in yourself, that’s the No 1 thing. I’ve still got a lot to improve on and will continue to learn and get better as the years go by. There are so many great cricketers I can learn off and that will naturally make me better,’’ he said.

‘‘I’ve always wanted to play test match cricket. That was the top tier for me growing up and I idolised the Indian greats and Australian greats going through the 2000s. I’d love to play international white ball cricket, but tests have always been the pinnacle for me.’’