Much has been made of New Zealand opener Jeet Raval's batting in his two tests, but his hands have been as useful for snaring leather as wielding willow.
Raval has taken seven catches in three innings, six of which have come at second slip. The exception was at deep mid-wicket in the second innings at Hagley Oval, when he scampered in to remove Asad Shafiq.
A concern when a fielder of Martin Guptill's stature exits a team is that runs and catches might be sacrificed.
Raval's provided reassurance that New Zealand have recruited another safe set of hands. Too often a player's public value can be based on one dimension: batting or bowling. Raval is proof it's worth employing a wider field of vision. His slip catching effectively makes him an all-rounder.
The 28-year-old's relaxed Stephen Fleming-esque hands-on-knees stance whirs into action when bowlers hit their delivery strides. The hands lift and the palms open for business.
