05 February,2024 11:53 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rachin Ravindra (Pic: AFP)
New Zealand's prolific batsman Rachin Ravindra achieved a unique batting record during the NZ vs SA 1st Test on Monday.
On the second day at Mount Maunganui, he registered the highest score by a maiden-century scorer in the history of New Zealand.
He accumulated 240 runs in 366 deliveries with 26 fours and three sixes with a strike rate of over 65. Previously, this record was in the name of Matthew Sinclair who scored 214 runs against West Indies on debut in 1999.
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Leading up to the NZ vs SA 1st Test, Ravindra had just played six innings and scored 73 runs at an average of just above 18. Now, in four Tests and seven innings, he has scored 313 runs and his average has rocketed to 52.16. His previous best Test score has also gone from 18' to 240.
At the age of 24 years and 79 days, he is the second-youngest to score a Test double ton for Kiwis. Sinclair is the youngest Kiwi batter to score a double ton at 24 years and 47 days.
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Rachin emerged as one of the biggest stars of the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, ending as the fourth-highest run-getter with 578 runs in 10 matches at an average of 106.44, with three centuries and two fifties.
He also recently won the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year Award for 2023. During the ODI World Cup in India, last year, the youngster played a pivotal role in Kiwis' campaign.
Coming to the match, the Kiwis were bowled out for 511 in their first innings after being put to bat first by the Proteas. Besides Rachin's 240, Kane Williamson's 30th Test century, 118 in 289 balls, with 16 fours and handy knocks by Glenn Phillips (39) and Daryl Mitchell (34) guided the Kiwis to a big score.
SA's uncapped skipper Neil Brand took 6/119 on Test debut and was the pick of the bowlers.
Now, SA is batting in their first innings and has lost their four wickets quickly.
