Published: Sep 20, 2016, 03:32 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 20, 2016, 06:32 PM (IST)
New Zealand’s most experienced batsman at the moment Ross Taylor has been in mixed form. He scored a magnificent 290 against Australia at Perth on a flat deck, but failed in the recent series when it was a tad challenging. He once again bullied Zimbabwe – a team, who had not played Test cricket for a year and lie at the bottom of the ICC Test rankings. Taylor had a golden chance to prove his worth against South Africa, with the likes of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander in series against South Africa – a country where New Zealand have had very little success over the years. But once again, he failed.
So, when does Taylor actually score runs? When the opposition is weak or when the pitch suits him? There is no denying that Taylor is a talented batsman. He scored his maiden Test ton in his very first match at home against England and then went to England and scored a 154 not out at Old Trafford. The fact that he had played a year of international cricket for New Zealand’s One-Day International (ODI) side perhaps helped him to a certain extent as he sort of blend in beautifully in the Test team as well. Taylor is just behind the great Martin Crowe as the second leading century-getter for New Zealand and if he plays to his potential against India, he can even overtake him by the end of the series.
But Taylor, having failed in South Africa, now has a humongous task ahead of him – face world No. 2 India in their own backyard. There have not been many teams, who have conquered India in India and New Zealand. The last instance perhaps was when England won the series against India. England used their spinners – Monty Panesar, Graeme Swann and Samit Patel to good effect and beat India at their own game. India had the likes of Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha and Ravichandran Ashwin in their side and yet could not prevent India from losing the series. READ: India vs New Zealand: Matt Henry’s golden chance to lift his Test career
But what is important to observe is the fact that the England top-order scored a lot of runs and had a good score on the board to play with. In the two matches they won – in Mumbai and Kolkata – they ensured they had a significant first innings lead and then their spinners did the trick thereafter.
This is where Taylor and the other batsmen will have to take charge. Taylor, batting in the all important No. 4 position, after Kane Williamson will have to shoulder the responsibility of scoring big runs. He did score a century in Bangalore in 2012. Bangalore has had offered a bit of assistance to the fast bowlers. But he managed to score just 43 from the three other innings in that series, two of which were in Hyderabad, where the spinners dominated once again. READ: IND vs NZ: What makes NZ strong?
Having played 73 Tests so far, all around the world, Taylor now cannot hide behind the fact that he lacks experience. He has played in India even in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and should have a fair idea of how to score runs in this part of the world. Being the senior most statesman, he should in fact be providing the youngsters some valuable tips and advice on the same. But as far as Taylor’s personal form goes, it can be safely said that he is on the inconsistent side. Taylor no doubt has the appetite to score big. He last three centuries include scores of 124 not out, 173 not out and 290, these sort of innings, do not come on a regular basis. For someone of the caliber of Taylor, he should be able to score big on a regular basis, must be the one to take charge and lead his side into a commanding position.
The fact that New Zealand are in work in progress side, should motivate Taylor to do better. Taylor, along with Williamson is still the backbone of the batting order in all formats and with wealth of experience behind him, he can perhaps lead the way for his nation in this series. READ: IND vs NZ: Will Kohli, Williamson justify their leadership skills compared to batting prowess?
His record against India is good, but while playing in India, it drips down drastically. He averages over 41 overall against India, but when playing them away from home his average reduces to 32.55.
Taylor’s overall Test record vs India
| M | I | R | Ave | 50s | 100s | HS |
|
9 |
16 |
659 |
41.18 |
1 |
3 |
151 |
The above statistics prove that Taylor has an incredible conversion rate against India and once he gets his eye in, he makes it count. But if you observe closely, out of his 16 innings, he has scored 50 or more just four times, proving his inconsistency once again.
Taylor’s Test record in India
| M | I | R | Ave | 50s | 100s | HS |
|
5 |
9 |
293 |
32.55 |
1 |
1 |
113 |
Taylor in India does not by any stretch of imagination have special numbers. But it should not be assumed that he is an average player in the subcontinent. In fact he averages over 50 in Sri Lanka, 35 in Bangladesh and 37 in the UAE. He averages just under 40 in the subcontinent, which by no means excellent, but also not particularly bad. Taylor will certainly want to work on that and also improve it on this tour. READ: IND vs NZ: Latham’s chance to repeat subcontinent heroics
Taylor’s Test record in 2016
| M | I | R | Ave | 50s | 100s | HS |
|
4 |
6 |
367 |
183.5 |
1 |
2 |
173* |
This year so far has been an incredible one for Taylor. He has already struck a couple of tons and has a staggering average of 183.50. But playing India in the subcontinent is going to be a different ball game altogether. If he thought that the South Africa tour was tough, what is in store for him and his New Zealand team will be nothing like it. The challenge will be different, the way he and his side approach it will also be different.
New Zealand currently lie in the seventh position in the ICC rankings and if they manage to beat a team of India’s stature – currently at No. 2 – they will be assured that they are moving in the right direction. A win in the first Test at Kanpur, will not only break their 28-year jinx in India, but will put them in a good position, going into the reminder of the series. READ: IND vs NZ: 5 memorable Tests
Although Taylor has had a good beginning to the year, his inconsistent run of form has hurt New Zealand in the past and for his team’s benefit, will not hamper New Zealand’s chances again. He may have an excellent record against weak teams like West Indies, Zimbabwe or Bangladesh, but will need to step up his game when it comes to playing the big boys like India.
(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry.com. He is a sport enthusiast and a keen observer of cricket, the contests, and its personalities. When not tracking cricket, he follows the world’s soccer leagues and is somewhat partial towards Liverpool. His Twitter handle is @pramz)
