TAYLOR TON Recordbreaking magic
The only thing better than beating the Boks . . .
Black Caps record-breaker Ross Taylor rated batting conditions at Hagley Oval as the most challenging he’s encountered at the redeveloped venue.
The veteran batsman wrote himself into the record books in New Zealand’s thrilling six-run victory against South Africa in Christchurch yesterday, which levels the best of five series at 1-1.
Taylor hit 102 not out, taking him past former team-mate Nathan Astle as New Zealand’s most prolific one-day centurymaker. His unbeaten 123-run fifth wicket partnership with James Neesham, who hit 71 not out from 57 balls, got New Zealand up to 289-4.
Taylor brought the 7541 crowd to their feet, whacking Wayne Parnell to the cover boundary off the last ball of the innings to bring up his century.
Taylor said the Hagley wicket was considerably slower than what he had experienced at the high-scoring ground. He saluted the way skipper Kane Williamson, who hit a valuable 69, and Neesham batted alongside him.
‘‘I’ve never played on a Hagley wicket that had a little bit of tennis ball bounce. It was quite slow,’’ Taylor said.
‘‘There’s been a bit of bad weather over the last few days and the groundsman can only prepare what he’s given. It did dry out a little bit towards the end and made things a lot easier.’’
Taylor, 32, said he was honoured to move into top spot on New Zealand’s ODI record list. ‘‘I used to enjoy watching [Astle] bat. It’s a bit embarrassing taking it [the record] off him.’’
Unheralded Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo gave the Black Caps some brief late jitters. They looked poised to steal a dramatic comeback win, putting on 61 for the ninth wicket.
Taylor admitted there were nerves in the field. ‘‘In that situation, you win 99 out 100 games. At one stage, it must have been 20-odd [to win] – it was touch and go there for a while.’’
Pretorius, a noted batsman in South African domestic cricket, blasted 50 from 27 balls, including four fours and two sixes. Just when it seemed the Proteas would snatch a famous win, milliondollar man Trent Boult bowled Pretorius with a full toss in the penultimate over.
New Zealand’s victory ended South Africa’s 12-match ODI winning streak.
Boult capped off a golden 48 hours after being bought for NZ$1.04 million by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League auction on Monday.
The left-arm swing bowler seemed to have turned the match New Zealand’s way, picking up the vital scalp of AB de Villiers for 45 to leave South Africa in trouble at 199-6. Boult had earlier removed the dangerous Quinton de Kock, who charged and picked out Neesham at deep midwicket.
‘‘It was touch and go there for a while.’’ Ross Taylor, above, celebrating his century