Look who’s back in black
Taylor returns from injury for crucial ODI
Ross Taylor is back. There’s four words to provoke a collective sigh of relief among Black Caps fans.
You probably can’t blame them, either. Not after watching how New Zealand’s middle order failed miserably without him in their four-run loss to England in Wellington on Saturday.
The 33-year-old has recovered from the thigh injury that forced him to watch the last match from the dugout, and is expected to bat at No 4 in today’s fourth ODI against England in Dunedin.
Down 2-1 in the five-match series, clearly the Black Caps need to topple the tourists at the University Oval to force a decider in Christchurch on Sunday.
Speaking to media on a dreary and wet Dunedin Tuesday, which forced both teams to flag outdoor training for a second consecutive day, Taylor said he used multiple methods to get back on the park.
‘‘A bit of massage, bit of acupuncture, bit of stretching, bit of swimming, a bit of everything,’’ he said.
‘‘I got hit during [game one] in Hamilton, then got hit on the same spot twice at training, so I think the leg was just saying it’s had enough. Then I got hit in the leg by [England bowler] David Willey [in game two]. I just had a dead leg.’’
It was the Willey blow, a handful of deliveries before he was run out for 10 ‘‘after turning like the Titanic’’ at Mount Maunganui, that resulted in him being scratched from the Wellington match.
Chasing England’s 230-8 to win, Taylor could only watch haplessly as New Zealand lost 4-6 in 21 balls and plunged from 97-2 to 104-6.
‘‘It should be fine for tomorrow. It’s been an interesting week after the win in Hamilton, and then to have the niggle during the game. But it’s nice to be ready to play and hopefully I can make a contribution tomorrow,’’ Taylor said.
‘‘Any time you miss out playing for your country, it’s disappointing. But we’re still in the series and hopefully we can level it up tomorrow.’’