Despite occupying the crease for more than nine hours with his stoic knock, out-of-favour New Zealand batter Jeet Raval missed out on the world record for the slowest First-Class hundred, by seven minutes. Batting in New Zealand’s Plunket Shield against Central Stags, the Northern Districts opener’s stoicism helped his side to a draw after conceding a 187-run first-innings lead. After falling for only two in the first essay, the left-handed Raval returned to lay out a marathon knock to salvage a draw. Raval began his innings on Day 2 of the contest on Sunday, entering stumps for four off 45 deliveries and only reached his hundred on Tuesday afternoon at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Raval (107 off 396)was present for 589 of the total 707 minutes his team spent at the crease before finishing on 362/7 in the second innings in 173 overs on Day 4. Focus and patience! Jeet Raval’s 22nd first-class century came from 396 balls in 9 hours and 49 minutes! Full scorecard + more highlights | https://t.co/2IFjPSmv89📲 #PlunketShield #CricketNation …