5 Best knocks of New Zealand's Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor, New Zealand’s talismanic middle-order batsman, has announced that he is going to retire from international cricket following the Test series against Bangladesh and the ODI series against the Netherlands and Australia. Taylor had a successful career for New Zealand, winning the World Test Championship and leading his team to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 final.

Batting predominantly at number four, he is the leading run-scorer for New Zealand in Test and ODI cricket. In terms of New Zealand’s progress in international cricket, his contributions have been significant. Taylor made his international debut against West Indies in a one-day match in 2006. Since then, he has been an integral part of New Zealand’s team’s success.

Taylor is a matchwinner who can destroy any attack, whether it’s pace or spin, when he’s on form. Perhaps the slog-sweep was the shot that typified Ross Taylor’s batting career. He’s also the first international player to play a hundred games in all three formats.

In the article, let’s take a look at Ross Taylor’s five finest knocks over the course of his career:

1. 290 against Australia, WACA (2015)

In the Test format, Taylor’s finest innings came against Australia in 2015. Taylor batted brilliantly for 290 runs on the WACA ground in Perth, which is known for favouring bowlers. It was his highest individual score in Test matches. With this incredible achievement, he set a new record for the highest score for a New Zealand player in both away Tests and on Australian soil.

In the second Test of the Trans-Tasman trophy, Taylor entered the crease when New Zealand were 87-2. He, along with Kane Williamson, stitched a partnership of 265 runs for the third wicket. Williamson was dismissed for 166 while Taylor went on to score 290 runs propelling New Zealand to a massive total of 624 runs.

Taylor’s innings consisted of 43 boundaries. This innings helped New Zealand save the Test match at Perth, which is considered to be the hunting ground for Australian bowlers. His 265-run partnership with Kane Williamson was the most by a New Zealand batting pair against Australia.

This innings is regarded as ‘one of the best innings of all time in Australian soil’ because it came at the most adverse conditions against a versatile bowling line-up, consisting of Starc, Johnson and Hazlewood.

2. 181 against England, Dunedin (2018)

Taylor was regarded as the best number four batter in New Zealand cricket history, across all formats. Even in limited over games, he was outstanding and produced some match-winning innings. In the ODI format, his 181 against England in 2018 was one of his finest innings. It was his career best score in the 50-over format.

With centuries from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, England set a formidable total of 336 runs in 50 overs. In response, New Zealand had a disastrous start and were reduced to 2-2. Then came Ross Taylor, who batted brilliantly in a tough chase to hunt down the target of 336. Taylor hit 17 fours and six sixes in his innings.

Taylor’s career-best unbeaten 181 from 147 balls was made all the more astonishing by the fact that he injured himself diving for a second run just after reaching three figures. With three balls remaining, he assisted New Zealand in comfortably reaching the target. This innings has been dubbed “one of the most gritty and determined innings by a player in one-day international history.”

3. 217 against West Indies, Dunedin (2013)

Due to his impeccable record, Dunedin was considered the hunting ground for Ross Taylor in all formats. In 2013, he scored 217 runs against the West Indies in a memorable innings. This was his first double century in international cricket, and it was instrumental in New Zealand’s first innings total of 609 runs.

The 37-year-old put on a show, mixing his attacking and defensive prowess. In the innings, he only faced 319 balls and hit 23 boundaries. He shared a crucial 195-run partnership with Brendon McCullum, who also struck a century. His innings was so significant that it prompted New Zealand to impose the follow-on rule on the West Indies.

Taylor received the ‘Richard Hadlee’ medal for his efforts during the 2013-14 season. During that season, he proceeded to amass massive amounts of runs. This knock was regarded as his ‘comeback knock’ after his well known tussle with Mike Hesson which forced him to relinquish captaincy duties for New Zealand.

4. 131* against Pakistan, Pallekele, World Cup – 2011

Taylor was one of the most experienced batters for New Zealand heading into the World Cups. Taylor, who has represented New Zealand in four World Cups (2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019), has produced some magnificent knocks that have led to outstanding performances by the New Zealand squad in the 50-over event. One of the innings was a blistering 131* against Pakistan in the 2011 Cricket World Cup group stages.

With Pakistani pacers on the attack, the 37-year-old came in to bat at 55-2. He produced a counter-attacking innings against one of Pakistan’s most devastating bowling attacks, guiding New Zealand to a competitive total of 302 runs. His innings contained seven sixes and eight fours, helping New Zealand score 127 runs in the final nine overs, their greatest total against Pakistan in a World Cup. He was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his outstanding performance.

Taylor demonstrated that raw power could annihilate the opponent in that one encounter against Pakistan. At that 2011 World Cup encounter in Pallekele, he blasted 28 and 30 runs off Shoaib Akhtar and Abdul Razzaq, respectively. New Zealand defeated Pakistan for the first time in 28 years thanks to this knock.

5. 81*(33) for RCB against KKR, IPL – 2009

The Royal Challengers Bangalore purchased Taylor in the 2008 Indian Premier League auction. Fans at the Chinnaswamy Stadium showered him with love during his brief tenure with the Bengaluru-based franchise. His devastating 81* off just 33 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2009 was one of his most lauded innings.

Taylor was well known for his ruthless batting in the game’s shorter versions. In 2009, however, he put on an outstanding performance by pounding the KKR bowlers all over the field. RCB made a mockery of the Knight Riders’ 174-run target with his innings, which included seven fours and five sixes.

With absolutely minimal support from the other end, Taylor took the charge and bashed bowlers like Ishant Sharma, Ajit Agarkar and Angelo Mathews all over the ground. His innings has been dubbed “his best IPL knock of all time.” He continued to make profitable appearances for all of the franchises he represented, cementing his status as a game legend.