South Africa vs New Zealand 2017: 2nd Test day 3, 5 Talking Points

#3 Jeet Raval's rock solid innings

Raval tried his best to resurrect the innings but Maharaj got the better of him

Ever since taking over the task of opening the innings in Tests for the Black Caps from Martin Guptill, Jeet Raval has been a picture of concentration and poise. The elegant left-handed batsman has stood out from the rest with his ability to graft an innings.

In Wellington, with all the odds stacked against him, Raval played beautifully to notch up a cracking 80. He kept losing partners at frequent intervals courtesy some exceptional bowling from the Proteas but was unperturbed until the time he ran down to Maharaj and got stumped by de Kock for 80.

The quality of the bowling attack makes his knock even more special. The fact that the ball was seaming, turning and swerving makes it the best he has played in his international career thus far. There is much much more to come from this old-fashioned Test opener.