Kiwi ace slams six ... via bowler's head

Black Caps Test opener Jeet Raval has blasted his way to a century for Auckland in New Zealand's domestic one-day competition, including one of the more bizarre sixes ever hit.

Raval smashed 149 against Canterbury today in the domestic elimination final, a blazing 153-ball knock that included 10 fours and four sixes, the second of which went over the rope having ricocheted off bowler Andrew Ellis's head.

Ellis, who represented the Black Caps on 20 occasions in 2012-13, was the sixth bowler used by Canterbury, a side the 35-year-old also captains.

And Raval was on the attack as he advanced down the wicket and smashed the ball back towards the bowler.

Ellis barely had time to flinch, unable to raise his hands in time as the ball collided with his head then launched towards the long-off fence where it cleared the rope.

The umpire initially signalled a four but that was quickly changed to a six, as Raval went to check on Ellis's condition.

But they breed them tough across the Tasman, and Ellis quickly passed a concussion test and returned to the field.

He came back into the attack in the death overs for a four-over spell, including the final over, and enjoyed a measure of revenge as he picked up two wickets, including that of Raval for 149. Ellis finished with 2-52 from his seven overs, and later added 12 wtih the bat. 

Auckland made 6-304 in their 50 overs, with the winner of the elimination final clash to face the Central Stags on Saturday.