Cricket: Raval's nervous night on 99

Auckland's Ravi Bopara watches as Otago batsman Greg Todd sets off on another run. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Auckland opener Jeet Raval reckoned sleep was going to come easy to him last night - so if you see him this morning with bags under his eyes put it down to misplaced confidence.

Raval will resume today on 99 and must have laid in bed last night running through endless scenarios about securing the single he needs to raise the bat on his second first-class century. "I just need to start again," said Raval last night.

If only it were that easy.

The 21-year-old Indian-born opener has enjoyed an excellent start to his first-class career, highlighted by the 256 he scored against Central Districts in just his third first-class match.

Another admirable feature of Raval's performance yesterday was the fact he was sitting on a pair.

"I was a bit nervous," Raval said, "but I could be more nervous [this morning]".

About the only person in Greater Auckland feeling more fidgety than Raval will be coach Paul Strang after another pointless day at the office.

Starting the day at 100-6, few gave Otago a price on reaching the 230 needed to overhaul Auckland.

However Greg Todd (78 not out) dropped anchor at one end while Neil Wagner (42), Nick Beard (42) and James McMillan (20) batted around him. Eventually Otago were dismissed for 270, with Martin Bates the best of the home bowlers, picking up 5-83 in 25.4 overs. At 188-2 in the second dig, Raval believed his side were in a good position to secure an outright with two days remaining.

* WELLINGTON V CENTRAL DISTRICTS

When Central Districts started the day in Wellington having the home side at 265-8, the last thing they would have envisioned was starting their first innings chasing 441 for first innings points.

Saturday's centurion Luke Woodcock scored an unbeaten double century (220) but his feat almost paled against those of 19-year-old Illi Tugaga who scored a century (103) batting at No 10. When Tugaga was finally dismissed the 225 partnership for the ninth wicket had shattered the Wellington record of 127 posted in 1943-44 and was second all time in New Zealand, behind only the 239 put on by Harry Cave and Ian Leggat for Central Districts against Otago in 1952-53.

Central made a decent start to the chase, posting 136-2 at stumps, with Peter Ingram scoring 59.

* ND V CANTERBURY

Canterbury secured first innings points against Northern in Hamilton yesterday, thanks to an unbeaten century by South African Johann Myburgh (102).

It was Myburgh's seventh century for his adopted province in his third season on the Mainland.

Chasing 205 for first innings points, Canterbury were in early trouble at 1-2 before Michael Papps (61) and Myburgh steadied the ship.