I didn’t know a lot about Jeet Raval, the Black Caps opener, and I’m sure many others don’t either.
Raval is in line to be selected for the upcoming series against Australia, but probably not based on form. It’s more a case of not many candidates being suitable for the position.
In his last nine innings he has scored 83 runs at an average of 9.2, in which time he scored a maiden century against Bangladesh in February. It’s hardly the sort of run of form that gives you confidence against a formidable Australian side in fine form at present.
Jeet Raval is a left-hand batsman, aged 31 and born in India. He moved to New Zealand when he was 16 and when selected for the New Zealand under-19 team played a series against his country of birth. That Indian team included such notables as Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma.
Raval was named in the 15-man squad for both series against England and Australia, but will he be selected for the first Test on 12 December? News from the Kiwi squad today suggests they are keen to stick with the opener, although former New Zealand player Mark Richardson says Raval should be dropped.
If another candidate was pressing his claims, Raval would probably be dumped, but the cupboard is rather bare at present. A solution would be to select a makeshift opener such as BJ Watling, Henry Nicholls or even newcomer Daryl Mitchell. Anything above an average of 9.2 surely would be a bonus.
It would be preferable for a good opening partnership be established for the likes of Taylor and Williamson to attack with more freedom. For the Black Caps to do well against Australia they need a solid platform to start with.
Does Jeet Raval have the mental strength needed to be successful against Australia? Take a punt on him or experiment with a temporary opening batsman?
Raval will play a key role, and if he succeeds, the Black Caps chances increase significantly.
I suspect he will be picked for the opening Test, but if he fails in that, they cannot risk him again in the following Tests.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Okay, so you mean his nine innings since his century? Gotcha.
Paul
Roar Guru
maybe the Kiwis have seen the mucking around our selectors have done in recent seasons and gone completely the other way, keeping a guy in the side ( Raval), who probably needs time in their district comp.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Why isn't Dean Brownlie considered by the kiwis anymore?
Micko
Roar Rookie
The kiwis have seem to have shafted that ex-West Aussie Dean Brownlie. He was a good batsman and made some tough runs for the kiwis, and I think he'd be a far better opener than Raval.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Average is 9.2 since he made the century.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
I think against England he had a couple of rough calls. He lacked confidence to go to the drs.
JamesH
Roar Guru
"In his last nine innings he has scored 83 runs at an average of 9.2, in which time he scored a maiden century against Bangladesh in February." I'm not sure that says what you meant it to say...? A tally of 83 runs can't possibly include a century. :silly: Raval's obviously under pressure but they might be reluctant to tinker with the lineup. With no designated opener ready to step in, Nicholls stands out as as the most likely. I just don't think they will want to risk a winning formula by moving him out of the middle order, and will instead back Raval to bat enough time to blunt the new ball. If that doesn't work in the first couple of tests and the series is still on the line at the SCG then their hand might be forced.
Paul
Roar Guru
There was talk during the 2nd Test against England about simply choosing batsmen who are in form and creating a batting lineup around them, regardless where they normally bat. I don't recall the ex-Kiwi Test opener's name, who made the comment " it's not all that different from batting in the middle order to opening", but it's clearly a line of thought that has some carriage in New Zealand. IMO, the numbers for openers relate to how long they stay together in partnership, not how many runs they make? Clearly their main role, especially in Australia, is to get through the new ball unscathed which should then allow the rest of the order to cash in. Of course, getting runs after that would be great but they still have lots of quality batting to come. If Raval & Latham do that job for 6 innings, I'm sure the Kiwi brains trust will be well satisfied with their efforts, even if they only make 100 runs each in the series.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Unless Jeet disintegrates mentally or is injured he is likely to play all three. Recent form has dipped which has affected his confidence and you can see it it in some of decision making. But he can bat time and blunt the new ball; while he'll never set the world on fire he has a useful average. Raval has been a round a long time now and should know how to get himself out of this funk; he's good enough to do it too. We have a couple of good batsmen in the wings. All rounder Ravindra, Conway and Young, who Australia have already seen. They should provide extra options and competition for places but they are not available yet so Jeet's really gotta stand up on this tour even if it's without huge runs.