Birthday special: Ross Taylor – 5 most memorable knocks by the Blackcaps legend
New Zealand star Ross Taylor is celebrating his 37th birthday today. The right-handed batsman has been an integral part of New Zealand’s team across formats since making his debut way back in 2006. One of the most experienced players in the game at present, Taylor has scored more than 17,000 runs in international cricket so far. So as Taylor celebrates his special day, we are taking a look at five of his best knocks in international cricket thus far.
5. 128* vs Sri Lanka in 2006, Napier:
This was the game where Ross Taylor scored his first-ever century in international cricket. The right-handed batsman had made his debut earlier that year and had registered scores of 15 and 31 in his first two ODIs. In his very third ODI, Taylor showcased his immense potential with an unbeaten knock of 128 with the help of 12 fours and 4 sixes. His unbeaten knock helped New Zealand pile up 285 for 8. Unfortunately for Taylor, his maiden ODI ton went in vain as Sri Lanka won the game by seven wickets. But a star was born on that day and Taylor has fully lived up to his early promises.
4. 109* vs India in 2020, Hamilton:
New Zealand were desperate to get back to winning ways when they locked horns against India in the first match of the three-ODI series in 2020. The Black Caps had suffered a humiliating 5-0 whitewash in the T20I series and were looking set to lose the first ODI too after India piled up 347 for 4. But the hosts returned to winning ways thanks to Taylor’s boisterous knock of 109 not out off just 84 balls. The chase was New Zealand’s highest ever in ODI cricket.
3. 181* vs England in 2018, Dunedin:
One of Taylor’s best knocks in international cricket came in 2018 when he played a stunning match-winning knock of 181 not out against England in the 2018 Dunedin ODI. England were looking set to win the game after posting an imposing total of 335 for 9 in the allotted 50 overs. Trailing 2-1 in the five-match series, New Zealand needed to win the contest to keep the series alive and Taylor rose to the occasion. The veteran batsman, who was returning from a thigh injury, fought cramps and slammed an unbeaten 181 off just 147 balls to guide New Zealand home with three balls remaining.
2. 131* vs Pakistan in 2011, Pallekele:
Taylor’s 131-run knock against Pakistan at the World Cup is regarded as one of the finest and most destructive knocks seen in the game. Taylor was dropped twice on 0 and 4 by Pakistan and he made them pay a big price for their mistakes. Taylor was initially struggling to time the ball and was just making sure to keep his wickets safe. He huffed and puffed to 76 from 111 balls at one stage with his team’s score being 210 for 6 after 46 overs. But all hell broke loose after that. In the 47th over, he hit Shoaib Akhtar for three sixes and two fours to complete his century before hitting three more sixes and 2 more fours off Abdul Razzaq’s bowling. Taylor hit 55 runs off his final 13 balls as New Zealand raced away to 302. They eventually won the game by 110 runs.
1. 290 vs Australia in 2015, Perth:
One of Taylor’s finest knocks in international cricket came in 2015 when he played a sublime knock of 290 against Australia in their own backyard. The knock helped New Zealand draw the Test and avoid a 3-0 whitewash. New Zealand had their backs against the wall after losing the first Test by 208 runs and were looking set to suffer another defeat in Perth after Australia piled up 559 for 9 declared. However, Taylor’s marathon knock of 290 and a fine 166-run knock from Kane Williamson helped the Kiwis post 624. The game eventually ended in a tame draw.
