Depth in talent key to NZ’s test rise, says Taylor

IT USED to be harder to get out of the New Zealand test cricket side than into it.

Early in Ross Taylor’s test career, one substantial score would keep batsmen in the side for the majority of the summer.

Those days certainly seem to be changing.

Taylor reckons the depth in New Zealand cricket is as strong as it has been during his seven years in the test side.

Two talented players had to be scratched from the 13-man squad for the opening test against Sri Lanka at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, beginning today.

It is becoming increasingly difficult when coach Mike Hesson and captain Brendon McCullum have to sit down and pick their XI for a test.

Taylor said all-rounder Jimmy Neesham was a perfect example of the intense competition for places.

Neesham struck back-to-back centuries in his first two tests against India and the West Indies earlier this year.

He then wasn’t required in the third test against Pakistan in the UAE this month, with New Zealand opting for two spinners.

‘‘It shows the strength and depth of the side when you can drop someone like that,’’ Taylor said.

‘‘In the past, if someone had scored two hundreds in two tests, they would have probably made a career out of it.’’

New Zealand’s test side is on the improve.

They have won three of their past four series, including victories over India at home [1-0] and the West Indies, home and away.

New Zealand held their own in the difficult UAE conditions, drawing the three-match test series 1-1 against a Pakistan side who made easy work of Australia.

Taylor said it was pleasing to see New Zealand being consistent

‘We know we’ve played some good cricket over the last wee while. To be competitive, we have to do that consistently.’ Ross Taylor

from one series to the next, which hasn’t always been the case.

‘‘We know we’ve played some good cricket over the last wee while. To be competitive, we have to do that consistently.

‘‘That’s probably the secret over the last little while is the consistency of players stepping up at different times.’’

Players knew if they were failing to deliver, there were others knocking on the door ready to replace them.

Quick bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee have been integral to New Zealand’s test success this year.

The duo have both taken 27 test wickets in 2014 and moved up to nine and 10 respectively in the ICC test bowling rankings

‘‘We’ve got a very good bowling line-up. For a long time, we struggled to get 20 wickets,’’ Taylor said.

‘‘Now that’s probably the strength of the team, our quick bowling.’’

Taylor, McCullum and Kane Williamson have all been prosperous with the bat, but it has not solely fallen on them to score the runs.

B J Watling has developed into a more than reliable wicketkeeperbatsman, while opener Tom Latham has made a golden start to his career.

Taylor said the side was only scratching the surface of their potential. He was confident the best was yet to come.

New Zealand are ranked seventh in the world, which he felt was not an accurate reflection of how well they were playing.

Climbing up the ladder in the next two years was a major goal.

‘‘The rankings are definitely in the players’ minds.

‘‘We’re not going to get to No 1 overnight but, with all the steps we’ve put in place, if we can [achieve them], we can hopefully get up the rankings.’’