Analysis: Talented limited overs batter Rachin Ravindra appears set for a long Test career after striking 240 against South Africa, writes Patrick McKendry.
Ravindra’s 240, the 12th highest Test score by a Black Caps player, has the hallmark of a coming-of-age performance.
Of the current crop of players above him on a list headed by Brendon McCullum’s 302 against India in Wellington almost exactly 10 years ago, only Kane Williamson is ahead.
A reminder of the class of Williamson, who has now hit 30 centuries after being dismissed for 118 today, is the fact he features twice above Ravindra, having also recorded 252 and 242 not out.
The second day of the second Test against South Africa at Mount Maunganui, and probably the Test itself, belonged to Ravindra because his previous high score in his previous three outings at this level was 18 not out.
Rachin Ravindra scored a double tonne against South Africa in just his fourth Test match. (Source: 1News)
The longer he batted at a warm and sunny Bay Oval, the more he distinguished himself. Of those New Zealanders who have scored maiden centuries, Ravindra stands alone in terms of a conversion rate after he surpassed Mathew Sinclair’s 214 against the West Indies in 1999.
Having impressed hugely in hitting three centuries in last year’s World Cup, the 24-year-old appears set for a long Test career and potentially in what has previously been an unfamiliar No.4 position on the batting list.
What was remarkable about Ravindra’s innings, which lasted for 366 deliveries and took 14 minutes short of 10 hours, was his patience.
Whereas even the normally unflappable Williamson appeared frustrated at times over the first two days, Ravindra did not, even though he hit a variety of sweetly-timed shots straight at fielders. He spent 16 minutes on 199 before a drinks break and then went on to his double tonne in the over afterwards.
His mode of dismissal will probably disappoint him – bowled off his inner thigh by Neil Brand’s part-time spin – but his overall performance will not. He came to the crease early yesterday with New Zealand creaking at 39-2 and he left it at 474-7.
New Zealand headed into this two-Test series against a uniquely inexperienced South Africa team on a hiding to nothing.
They are expected to win well and having ground down an XI featuring six debutants over two days in the first Test they have made quite the statement.
In seeking to up the run rate this afternoon, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips – 34 and 39 respectively – appeared in good touch but stealing their thunder was No.10 Matt Henry, who struck 27 off nine balls and hit everything off the middle of his bat to contribute to New Zealand’s 511 all out.
Kyle Jamieson kept up the home team’s good vibes with two wickets in an over as South Africa finished the day on 80-4. They trail New Zealand by 451.
Even skipper Brand’s remarkable 6-119 contained a note of caution for the Proteas; the left arm off spinner bowled well and got turn this afternoon but Mitchell Santner is a more accomplished bowler and is likely to get far more.
Santner struck late to bowl Zubayr Hamza. It doesn't bode well for the tourists tomorrow.
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