Cricket News

Rachin Ravindra enters record books after brilliant knock against South Africa in 2nd Test at Bay Oval

The 1^st Test in the New Zealand vs South Africa series is where the Proteas are in a spot, all ready in the first two days. The hosts have gone on to score 511 runs and put the South African batters under pressure straight away. The New Zealand team have shown this inexperienced South African side what it is like to play international cricket on their turf. There is no doubt that both these days have gone in favour of the black caps who were looking good with both bat and ball. The South African batters were not looking comfortable at the crease as well as they were left stranded on 80-4 at the end of day 2.

None of the South African bowlers were looking threatening on the day at all where all the Kiwi batters were easily picking them for easy runs in the middle. The only bowler who was able to take wickets a look slightly better than the bowlers was skipper Neil Brand who managed to achieve his best figures in Test cricket by taking 6/119 in 26 overs. He was the reason this South African team was able to bowl out New Zealand in the 1^st innings. This was perhaps the only positive moment for the visitors in the whole match.

The Rachin Ravindra show

The first two days of this Test match belong to none other than Rachin  Ravindra with one of the best knocks by a New Zealand batter. Rachin has entered the record books for the highest score for a maiden Test century-maker for New Zealand. Rachin scored 240 runs from 366 deliveries which consisted of 26 boundaries and 3 sixes in the innings. The 24-year-old all-rounder is already making big strides in international cricket after a brilliant World Cup where he emerged as one of the top run scorers for his nation.

These still might be early days for him in the international scene, but we cannot ignore the class and talent he has shown already. Rachin was backed to be the next big thing for New Zealand and with knocks like there seems to be nothing stopping him. The era of Rachin Ravindra is something New Zealand should be proud of and back him for many matches in the future as well. The ODI format was already conquered by the young left-hander and now he has finally shown up in just his fourth Test match with this magnificent double century which is one of the best innings from a Kiwi batter.