England require 640 runs to win the third and final test of the series against the Black Caps
Kane Williamson scored his 33rd test century before being dismissed for 156
Rachin Ravindra, who scored 44, combined with Williamson for a fourth-wicket stand of 107
Sometimes cricketers need teasing out of a comfort zone to ascertain their value to a team.
New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra was faced with that conundrum on the third day of the third test against England at Hamilton on his way to 44 off 90 balls.
Hiscustomary silky elegance was shelved in favour of disciplined stoicism. He probably hasn’t sat on seven from 51 balls for a while. Hopefully, the Chennai Super Kings were distracted by other chores.
They were important in the context of the match with New Zealand 128 for three, just like the Black Caps were 172 for three when Ravindra exited in the first innings, triggering a middle-order collapse.
Too often in the series, he flattered to deceive with scores of 34, 24, 3, 6 and 18, despite playing delightful strokes en route.
The latest knock did not require an arbitrary number like 50 or 100 to determine the quality of the innings.
Rachin Ravindra's stoic 44 aids Black Caps in third test against England. Photo / Photosport
He defended with vigour, a concept which appeared to inflame an English attack unaccustomed to the longer form being played at anything other than a T20 tempo these days.
Captain Ben Stokes paid him attention with a “bit stiff on the nightwatchman” reference at the end of the second day to highlight his delayed entrance.
Ravindra delegated duties to Will O’Rourke with 4.5 overs left. He was eventually forced to don the pads himself with 2.3 overs remaining.
He then received a gobful from Brydon Carse after belting his first boundary from his 52nd delivery, an exquisite pull through mid-wicket. The right-armer seemed to take issue that anyone would dare plunder him.
Matthew Potts completed a trifecta of niggle by snarling a send-off when Ravindra eventually clunked a leading edge to Carse at mid-off as he tried to work a ball through mid-wicket.
Presuming Ravindra has no past baggage with the England team, the reactions should be considered a badge of honour, provoked by the spine he displayed absorbing pressure.
His innings was a nod to New Zealand playing to their strengths, albeit in a dead rubber.
Now the pressure which Stokes says his team love serving back with relish can be tested on a decent runway. The bid for 658 would not only be the highest fourth innings chase to win a test but also the biggest final innings of a match.
England currently hold that mark with 654 for five in the drawn timeless test of 1939 against South Africa in Durban when they had to board a train to Cape Town to ensure they caught the boat for home.
