NEW ZEALAND TOUR OF PAKISTAN, 2020-21
Taylor made his 438th appearance for New Zealand during the Boxing Day test against Pakistan topping Vettori’s count © AFP
Breaking former teammate Daniel Vettori’s record to become New Zealand’s most capped player in cricket felt special, Ross Taylor admitted on Saturday (December 26). Taylor made his 438th appearance for New Zealand during the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan topping Vettori’s tally. Taylor hit a hard-fought 70 on opening day when New Zealand entered Stumps at 222/3.
The 36-year-old has played more than 100 games in all three formats and debuted in 2006. “Every time you represent your country is a special moment,” Taylor said after the first day of play. “To represent them 400 times and get the record is not what I play for, but it’s nice to have.
“It was a special occasion – I got some nice words from BJ (Watling) and the team this morning and it felt a bit like my 100th Test, going out to bat today with a standing ovation. I don’t know what the ground announcer said, but He should have told the crowd, because I’m sure they wouldn’t have known. ”
Taylor admitted to being disappointed in his omission from the T20I side recently, but his focus at the moment is firmly on helping New Zealand take a 1-0 lead in the test series. “I still feel like I have something to give to the Twenty20 team, but here we are in a test match, and I look forward to contributing to the team’s victory,” Taylor said.
The veteran hitter already made a significant contribution on the first day after helping his team recover. Pakistan’s seam attack got rid of the openers very early to leave the home team reeling at 13 for 2, but Taylor joined forces with patron Kane Williamson to rescue New Zealand for the umpteenth time.
“It was difficult at first,” remembers Taylor. “But you expect that on a first day. It’s definitely flattened, and it’s probably a little two-step at times. It’ll be interesting, I’m sure it’ll only get a little more uneven over the next two days.
“The way Kane and I got through it was nice and enjoyable, but you have to give it to Shaheen (Afridi). I thought he played extraordinarily well, and Mohammad Abbas didn’t give us much either.”
Comparing Pakistan’s attack to the West Indies bowling lineup that toured New Zealand very recently, Taylor commented that the Asian side was much more disciplined. The mid-level hitter also admitted that his team’s first day performance can only be judged after the first hour of play on the second day.
“They (Pakistan) were much more disciplined and put the ball in good areas for much longer,” Taylor said. “West Indies, they bowled well at times, but they weren’t as consistent as this group (which is) probably a little more experienced.
“When Yasir Shah was bowling we were on the alert. Very often the spinners in New Zealand don’t play much on the first day or nothing so it shows what kind of wicket it is. Obviously we’re happy with where we are at. 222 for 3 and they would have taken it earlier in the day. But it’s how we get in tomorrow and get through that first hour or two that really dictates how good this day was. ”
© Cricbuzz
