Daniel Vettori of New Zealand sweeps the ball during day one of the First Test match between New Zealand and India. Photo / Getty Images
Test centuries are old hat for Daniel Vettori, but new territory for New Zealand's other batting saviour yesterday, Jesse Ryder.
The pair rescued New Zealand from a parlous 61 for six at lunch with a 186-run seventh wicket stand to steer the hosts to 279 in their first innings at
Seddon Park.
Vettori's third century, a fine 118, was matched by fellow lefthander Ryder's maiden test ton, a memorable 102.
Ryder has been close to three figures before. Yesterday he grabbed his chance.
"I threw it away a couple of times and [yesterday] was a great feeling," he said last night.
"I kept it pretty simple, stuck to the game plan and it worked for me today."
When Iain O'Brien was stumped with Ryder on 98, leaving Chris Martin to help the Wellington man to his century, Ryder admitted he was"sweating bullets for a minute".
However, Martin did his job, leaving Ryder to dwell on an immensely satisfying day.
"People think of Jesse as a one-day opener and a guy who looks to bash it," an admiring Vettori said.
"They haven't seen the subtleties of his game. It was just a quality innings. Once he got on top he made the most of it."
It was his fourth successive innings above 50 in tests and boosted his average to a robust 54.6.
Vettori's century lifted his test batting average to an impressive 28.09, reinforcing his position as the game's best No 8.
His previous hundreds were against Pakistan in 2003, also in Hamilton, when he hit 137 not out, and 127 against Zimbabwe at Harare in 2005.
He was disappointed at the morning's batting effort, while conceding India's bowling had been impressive.
The initial target when the pair came together was a modest 150 - "we thought that would give us something to play with" - but they readjusted their sights as their stand progressed.
Now Vettori hopes the pitch will have some similar assistance for the seam bowlers this morning to match yesterday's opening couple of hours.
