Published: Dec 02, 2013, 06:29 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 02, 2013, 06:29 PM (IST)
Wellington: Dec 2,2013
New Zealand player Ross Taylor has backed his side’s top order to deliver and put the team in a winning position in Dunedin in the first Test against the West Indies, despite a bowler-friendly pitch at the University Oval.
The ground’s turf manager has produced a much greener deck this time although the former captain remains confident that New Zealand’s Test batsmen can continue to improve and deliver in the Test opener against the Caribbean side.
According to Stuff.co.nz, Taylor said “On green seamers, you just have to give it to the bowler sometimes; they’re going to dominate and you might play and miss a few times, but the key is to not get too frustrated at it.”
New Zealand is in a favourable position to achieve their aim of batting at least four sessions and scoring 400 in the first innings as none of the West Indies bowlers have played international cricket in the country.
Taylor was confident that the under- fire batting line up could counter any zip the tourists could offer.
He said, “On wickets that do a little bit, even more onus goes on the openers to see off the new ball. But as it showed in our last game for Central Districts, even on green seamers, it swings and moves for 35-40 overs and if you can get through that stage when the ball’s hard, with the Kookaburra ball, it gets easier.”
