Taylor firing for flying Firebirds
The baby of the Wellington Firebirds is starting to prove his worth.
Matt Taylor, the 24-year-old all rounder who could almost pass as the child of some members of the Firebirds’ Dad’s Army, has been in fine form as Wellington have registered 10 wins in their past 11 matches.
Once seen as simply a middle or lower order closer in Twenty20 cricket, Taylor is showing he has more to his game than just his big hitting.
Sure, his 48 not out in the McDonald’s Super Smash final was a match winning innings, and he’s backed that up with 56 and 43 not out in two of his three innings since, but coach Bruce Edgar said his other work is proving vital to the team.
Taylor has been working hard on his medium pace bowling, and although he hasn’t been taking bags of wickets, he’s been providing a good change of pace to Wellington’s other options.
‘‘Matty is growing as a player,’’ Edgar said.
‘‘I know a year or two ago you would have pigeon-holed him into a role as a finisher, but his batting is really coming along and he’s always improving.
‘‘His bowling is a continuous improvement.
‘‘You know, there are opportunities at the top level as an all rounder, and I’m not saying he’s there yet, but if he keeps working hard and improving his game. He can go a long way.’’
Despite his age, Taylor has been around for a long time in the Wellington set-up, one of few Wellington youngsters who have found their way into the first class side in recent years.
He’s now showing some of his early promise, something it’s hoped he will now build on as the season progresses.
Taylor is part of the Wellington team to take on Northern Districts on Saturday in Whangarei.
The side has two changes, with Black Caps bound Tom Blundell and injured Hamish Bennett left out, with Stephen Murdoch and Ollie Newton coming in.
Bennett’s injury is only minor, and his omission is a precaution more than anything else.
CD play Otago in their round-five one-day game in Palmerston North and both teams, who make up the bottom two spots on the ladder, will be after a win to help their playoff chances.
Defending champions CD have had one win and three losses, and are coming off a four-run loss against Auckland on Wednesday, but only when Duckworth-Lewis sawed CD off short when it started raining.
‘‘We can take a lot of momentum from that,’’ CD wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver said.