The sole newcomer in the Black Caps squad is coping much better with his induction into the New Zealand cricket team than he did with his initial arrival in New Zealand from India 12 years ago.
Auckland batsman Jeet Raval with the Plunket Shield. Photo: Photosport
Auckland batsman Jeet Raval has had his first training session with the Black Caps at a seven day camp in South Africa as the side prepares for two tests against Zimbabwe and two against South Africa.
The first match of the tour is in Bulawayo on 29 July.
Raval said he had enjoyed his limited time so far with the Black Caps and it had been a much more enjoyable introduction than the culture shock he endured when he started college.
"We moved to New Zealand with the family when I was 16 with mum and dad deciding we wanted a lifestyle change....and at the start I completely hated it. It was a massive cultural change," he said.
"My first day of school at Avondale College in 2004 ..went to the class and tried to listen to the teacher but just couldn't understand a word because I couldn't really speak any English when I first came and I went home and started crying to my mum and said 'Mum let's got back to India because I don't know what's going on here.'"
Auckland's Jeet Raval celebrates is 13th first-class century. March 2016. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
After time though things became easier and Raval has not looked back in cricketing terms.
His call up to the Black Caps was earned by sheer weight of runs in the domestic competition.
He has averaged over 40 for the past five New Zealand first-class seasons.
His average was close to 60 last season and included scores of 202 not out, 139, 90 and 147 in his last five Plunket Shield matches.
-RNZ
