New Zealand vs South Africa, 1st Test: Ross Taylor to bat only if required

Taylor, who turned 33 on day one of the Test, averages 46.99 from his 81 Tests, is a central figure in the New Zealand lineup.

Ross Taylor hobbed out of the field along with team physio after receiving initial treatment © AFP

Injured New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor will resume batting “if required” in the first Test against South Africa in Dunedin, a team spokesman said Friday. Taylor hobbled from the field early in New Zealand’s reply to South Africa’s first innings 308 and a hospital scan confirmed a torn calf muscle. He returned to the ground for a brief net session before confirming he would continue if necessary in this Test but his availability for the remaining two Tests was in doubt. Taylor, who turned 33 on day one of the Test, averages 46.99 from his 81 Tests, is a central figure in the New Zealand lineup. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD, New Zealand vs South Africa, 1st Test at Dunedin

“Not sure yet of long-term time frames. May bat in this Test if required,” the spokesman said. But he had faced just 20 balls in the first innings and was on eight when the injury occurred as he took a quick single off Morne Morkel. Taylor was showing signs of returning to his best form following eye surgery in December with centuries in one-day matches against Australia and South Africa in the past month.

He now holds the New Zealand record for the most ODI centuries with 17 and needs one more Test century to match the New Zealand record, also 17, held by the late Martin Crowe. South Africa is one of only two Test playing Nations, along with Bangladesh, Taylor has not scored a century against. Meanwhile, big-hitting ODI opener Martin Guptill, who has been battling hamstring injuries, has been ruled out of cricket for the next six weeks while he undergoes strength and conditioning rehabilitation ahead of the Champions Trophy in England in June.