And yesterday Kruger van Wyk used that ticker to dig Central Districts out of a very deep hole with a gritty innings of 91 during the opening day of his side's Plunket Shield match against Otago at the University Oval.
The former Black Cap wicketkeeper-batsman came in with his side's innings teetering at 76 for five.
It only got worse when Peter Trego fell victim to a wonderful ball from James McMillan which jagged back and cannoned into off-stump.
But the visiting side fought back on the green top to reach 255 and then secured a double breakthrough to leave Otago 30 for two at stumps.
Van Wyk basically singled-handedly dragged his side back into the match and thoroughly deserved to celebrate his effort with a century.
But he rather unselfishly sacrificed what would have been just his seventh ton so he could advance the team's position.
He was running out of partners and, with just No 11 Ajaz Patel remaining, van Wyk played a shot a ball and eventually holed out.
''Throughout my career I've always prided myself on standing up when the team is in trouble,'' he said.
''It does not always come off but I just try to score runs that will make a difference to the side. I would have loved to have gone on and scored even more but I'm pretty happy with that.
''I just want us to dominate [today] and that is all that is really important to me.
''I have a bit of a love affair with 90s. I've got 10 90s in first-class cricket now. But I've reached the stage where I feel it is just a number in a column and I'd rather see wins in another column.''
CD's chances have dramatically improve thanks to van Wyk's solo effort.
''We've got to make our 250 feel like it is 450 and just plug away in good areas. There is more than enough to encourage the bowlers.''
The scoreboard perhaps flattered Otago at lunch. The Volts did not bowl particularly well during the opening hour. But with the opposition losing five wickets, Otago was in a strong position, nevertheless.
Jamie How provided the initial breakthrough, gifting his wicket with a poorly timed pull shot which fell safely into the hands of McMillan at mid-on.
Having been inserted, CD did well to reach 47 for one at drinks. But with cloud cover and the pitch providing plenty of assistance, Otago reclaimed the initiative and it was part-timer Jesse Ryder who provided the spark.
He got an in-ducker past Carl Cachopa (12), who played down the wrong line and was bowled.
Opener Ben Smith soldiered through to 27 but never looked comfortable. He shuffled across the crease and wafted at a delivery he would have been better off leaving. Derek de Boorder took the easiest of catches behind the stumps but needed more athletic ability to take the next two.
He moved quickly to his left to snaffle an edge from the bat of Kieran Noema-Barnett and again when Will Young steered another in his direction.
Shortly after the resumption, Trego had to trudge off after he was undone by the ball of the day. Central had lost three wickets without advancing its score.
Otago would have been hoping to bring the innings to a quick close. But the visiting side rallied with van Wyk combining with Roald Badenhorst (17) in a valuable 83-run stand.
Tarun Nethula chipped in with 24 and Patel hit three boundaries in his knock of 15 not out.
Trego nicked out Aaron Redmond for five and Michael Bracewell was trapped in front for four. Neil Broom played positively to reach 20 and will resume with Ryder today.
