After top-scoring with 108 off 101 balls in New Zealand’s huge score of 362/6 in 50 overs in their second semi-final against South Africa, left-handed opener Rachin Ravindra thanked Will Young and Kane Williamson for assisting him through the many turns of the innings.
Ravindra scored his sixth ODI century on Wednesday at the Gaddafi Stadium, all of which have come in ICC competitions, and second in this campaign. He is currently the only men’s batsman to have scored his first five ODI hundreds in ICC events, as New Zealand recorded the greatest Champions Trophy score in history.
“I suppose it was the relationships; Young and Kane helped me get through the ebbs and flows. My timing wasn’t always fantastic, but Kane helped me get through that era. Kane is a classy player, and it’s fun to watch him bat from the other end. In a mid-innings talk with the announcers, Ravindra stated that the ball held up at times and that the bowlers bowled nice lines and lengths.
Only Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Shikhar Dhawan, David Warner, Ricky Ponting, and Kumar Sangakkara have scored more hundreds in ICC ODIs than Ravindra. The 25-year-old also contributed 164 off 154 balls for the second wicket alongside Williamson, who scored 102 off 94 deliveries, his 15th century in this format.
Ravindra, who bowls useful left-arm spin, also believed that utilising slower balls will assist New Zealand’s bowlers in reducing South Africa to a low total and securing their berth in the title match against India in Dubai on March 9.
“Hopefully, the ball will grip onto the surface a little better under the lights. The pitch held up at times but seemed a little brittle, so the goal will be to bowl into the surface, employ cutters, and variations,” he said.
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