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Hesson all praise for debutants Raval, de Grandhomme
- Updated: November 21, 2016
Jeet Raval’s match-aggregate of 91 in a low-scorer has made him a possible solution to New Zealand’s opening woes, but he is a player that had piqued the selectors’ interest for some time, coach Mike Hesson said. One of the steadier hands in domestic cricket, Raval has averaged less than 40 in only one of the past eight first-class seasons. A correct batsman who favours the leg-side, Raval was an assured presence on debut, both with bat in hand, and in the slip cordon.
“For Jeet to make his debut in conditions like this where he’s performed in over the last few years, was great,” Hesson said. “I thought his decision-making throughout was exceptional, especially around whether to leave or to defend. He stuck to his game plan – he’s very disciplined and knows what that is. He was challenged over, and around the wicket. He was tested with short balls and swing. He stood up to all of them. I thought against Yasir Shah he showed he could come down the wicket, pick off his pads, and lap. He never went outside his plan even when he was challenged, which is a great sign.”
New Zealand’s other …