The 27-year-old left-hander had strung together a forgettable sequence of low scores but turned his summer around with an undefeated 202 against Otago at Eden Park Outer Oval yesterday.
His mammoth effort help propel the Aces to 431 for eight declared. Otago reached 38 without loss at stumps on day three and needs a further 406 runs to record a very unlikely victory.
"We actually bowled really well this morning,'' Volts coach Nathan King said.
"We restricted them to about 70 for one in the first session. But our inability to take a couple more wickets meant they were able to come out and play aggressive cricket in the second session.''
Raval, who had scored 89, 3, 4, 0, 7 and 10 in his previous six innings, made a slow start.
He resumed on 49 and by lunch had added just a further 26 runs.
But his patience was rewarded in the second and third sessions.
He batted for more than six and a-half hours and hit 28 boundaries.
He had good support from Rob Nicol (53) and Colin de Grandhomme (52).
"He played exceptionally well,'' King said, "It is one of the better knocks I've actually seen. He hasn't scored a lot of runs this season but he has a decent record and we know he is a quality player.
"Right from the start he looked good and he didn't offer any chances.''
Otago is firmly focused on trying to salvage a draw. But King said if the Volts could bat all day, then the team might be able to get into a position to stage a late launch.
"The wicket is playing really nicely but it is turning, so Tarun Nethula will be the biggest threat.
"If we can combat him and do a job against the medium-pacers, there is a lot of runs to be had on this ground.''
Part-time left-arm spinner Anaru Kitchen returned the best bowling analysis for Otago with three for 36 from 12 overs.
All-rounder Sam Wells was frugal with one for 31 from 15 overs.
Brad Wilson (13) and Kitchen (19) will resume this morning with an enormous task ahead to save the match.
In other games, Central Districts was 211 for three in its second innings and led Wellington by 265 runs at stumps on day three at McLean Park.
Greg Hay was on 95 not out overnight.
At Seddon Park, Northern Districts was 237 for six in its second innings and led Canterbury by just nine runs at stumps on day three.
Bharat Popli, undefeated on 71, has plenty of work ahead if he is going to get his side into safe territory.
