16 Dec 2017

Raval ton gets NZ XI past Windies

6:49 pm on 16 December 2017

A superb century to test opener Jeet Raval has led a New Zealand XI to a six-wicket victory against the West Indies in their one-day cricket clash in Whangarei.

Jeet Raval hits out during a one-day game for the Auckland Aces.

Jeet Raval hits out during a one-day game for the Auckland Aces. Photo: Photosport

Aucklander Raval struck 169, including 17 fours and one six as the home team reached their 289-run target with nine balls to spare at Cobham Oval on Saturday.

Not normally noted for his ability to score quickly, the 29-year-old faced just 150 balls in total and needed only 95 deliveries to get to three figures.

Northern Districts' Bharat Popli made 62 in the successful chase, combining with Raval for a 149-run third-wicket partnership.

Raval, who has a List A average of just 24.27 from 40 matches, has played nine test matches for New Zealand for an average of 44.50.

Earlier, star batsman Chris Gayle had been listed to open the batting for the West Indies after they won the toss and handed a New Zealand XI featuring just a handful of well-known names the ball.

But Gayle was not sighted in the middle as the game got underway and never made an appearance at the batting crease.

Instead it was Kyle Hope who led the way for the visitors, the opener striking 94 not out from 101 balls.

Test player Shai Hope was next best with 69 off only 58 balls, while Rovman Powell (31) and Shimron Hetmyer also made handy contributions.

Auckland off-spinner Aniket Parikh was the pick of the New Zealand XI bowlers, returning the impressive figures of 4-47 from his 10 overs.

The next match of the West Indies tour is the opening game of the one-day series against the Black Caps at the same venue on Wednesday.