Image Credit- AFP
In the first two days of the Mount Maunganui Test, New
Zealand has taken complete control and leads by 431 points heading into the
third day. But before they get too excited, captain Kane Williamson has urged
his squad to “maintain their discipline and play the long game” in an
attempt to lead 1-0 against South Africa.
Although Williamson made a 118-point contribution to
New Zealand’s cause, his “outstanding” team-mate Rachin Ravindra’s
241-point performance garnered most of the attention. After the opening day’s
play, Ravindra showed little restraint in his admiration for his
“idol,” Williamson. On Monday, however, the positions were turned,
with the captain of New Zealand praising the 24-year-old.
“Ravindra is simply a class act to watch from the
other end,” Williamson said. “One of his biggest strengths is being
very calm. He’s clearly got the skills and the game as we’ve seen in ODIs, but
to go through the gears here, in such a calm temperament, speaks volumes. Their
bowlers weren’t giving much away, so we had to keep each other focused.
“We did a lot of groundwork and South Africa were
extremely disciplined with the ball. It was quite difficult to use the pace on
the surface, so we just wanted to up the run rate from a position of strength.
I wasn’t able to, which was frustrating, but other guys came in and went
through the gears in the middle session.
“Ravindra has looked very good at No. 4. He is a
great stroke-maker, can play all shots and go through the gears. That’s his
style. He made the most of the opportunity. He’s quite natural and is loving
every moment. From a team’s perspective, we’re loving his attitude to move us
forward.
“It was an outstanding innings and a special
moment for him, but the milestone alone wasn’t enough. You can see he also
wanted to put the team in a strong position.”