Cricket: Raval hits a ton to remember

Auckland opener Jeet Raval made sure his first century in first-class cricket yesterday was a memorable one.

The 20-year-old left-hander carried his bat for 408 minutes to finish the first day of the State Championship game against Central Districts on the Eden Park outer oval on 156 not out in a total of 323 for four. Raval's innings included 28 fours. He was 52 at lunch when Auckland were 99 for two and 94 at tea with the score at 227 for three.

It took him 27 agonising minutes after the break to reach his maiden ton, spending some of that time stretched out on his back receiving treatment for cramp. But when he passed that mark with a four, he held his concentration until stumps. On hand to see his hundred were his mother and father, Kalpana and Ashok, who brought their son to New Zealand four years ago from Gujarat in India, where he had played age group cricket.

After playing for the champion Suburbs club, he made his first-class debut this season when he scored 31 against the West Indies. He also played the final two days of the State Championship match against Otago at Queenstown as a replacement for Tim McIntosh but did not get a bat. He got his chance yesterday because English professional Steven Croft, who opened in the last game, was unavailable.

Raval meticulously built his big innings, taking advantage of yet another flat pitch. There was a 75-run partnership with Rob Nicol (39) and 152 with Reece Young, who was caught in the slips off the second new ball for 74. The Central bowlers gained encouragement when Auckland opener Richard Jones was leg before to Ewen Thompson for a duck but they had to work hard for their four wickets.

Auckland and CD have qualified for the State Championship final over five days in Christchurch, but the Aucklanders only have to avoid outright defeat in this game to need only a draw in the final to take the title.