While the definition may have worked back in the 16th century when it was first played in South-East England, it may receive unfavourable support now. Some might call the game of cricket a bat-and-ball game.
"I was trying not to look at the scoreboard and how many overs to go, I was just thinking ball after ball and trying to forget about all the external factors, but definitely a big relief and seeing everyone high-fiving each other and seeing how happy everyone was was pretty cool." To Ravindra's relief the game finished 12 minutes early with bad light stopping play with New Zealand on 165-9. Ravindra faced 91 balls for his 18 not out, while Patel survived 23 balls to stay unbeaten on two. In the closing stages India deployed seven fielders around the bat but were still thwarted by the over-my-body defiance from Ravindra and Patel. "It was cool to have him there and just talk about things, lean on each other and as he's been a mentor for me, especially as a bowler, he's helped me a lot and being able to share that moment with him was amazing." He says it was good to be there at the end with Patel, a player he's known for five years and played with and against. "Because I was batting I know my processes, this is what I've done in training, I back myself to do this." Ravindra says he felt comfortable during the closing stages of the test. "When you watch test cricket like that, that's where your heroes and idols are made, it's a moment I'll never forget."
"It was an incredibly moment with the crowd and the noise and all the fieldsmen around the bat, it was the stuff you dream about as a kid," said Ravindra. The last batting pair of Ravindra and Ajaz Patel faced relentless spin from both ends with a shoal of close-in fielders around the bat but managed to survive the last 52 balls to deny India. The Wellingtonian batted for an hour and a half and faced 91 balls for his unbeaten 18, which helped the tourists to an unlikely draw.Ĭhasing 284 for victory on a final day surface, New Zealand were in tatters at 155-9 with at least eight overs to go and the light steadily fading at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium. The 22 year old was one of the Black Caps heroes on the final day of the first test against India in Kanpur.