Black Caps stalwart

Mackenzie, 8, Jonty, 6, and Adelaide, 2, will be there, along with parents Neil and Ann – who will continue tradition and don her son’s playing jersey if the Wellington wind blows.

Among the former coaches, mentors and friends – seemingly half of Masterton – making the trip, one absentee will be strongly felt.

Taylor pauses again, his voice cracking, when he recalls his first Wairarapa rep coach Craig McBride who died in a light plane crash last June. ‘‘He had a big influence on a lot of people, including me. I got a message during the World Cup from Seth Rance that Craig had passed away. I haven’t been back to Masterton a lot and I didn’t know he was even flying planes . . .’’

Crowe, too, will be high in Taylor’s thoughts as always, his most significant cricketing figure in a test on his mentor, the late Martin Crowe

career that began in South Africa in 2007. Among others, he supported Taylor through the captaincy saga in 2012, an experience Taylor now credits with teaching him resilience.

‘‘He saw something in me that I never did. I was pretty happy to play one test; to play 100 tests is pretty special.

‘‘There’s still a game to play and contribute to, but at the same time you’ve got to acknowledge the achievement and the fact a lot of people helped you out along the way.’’

Taylor likes the fact Virat Kohli’s India are the opponents for his big

Ross Taylor’s remarkable career numbers:

■ Tests: 99 matches, 7174 runs at 46.28, highest score 290, 19x100 8570 runs at 48.69, HS 181no, 21x100 matches, 1909 runs at 26.51, strike rate 123, HS 63

* Poised to become the first cricketer to milestone appearance.

The only time he played them in a test in Wellington he scored a matchsaving century in 2009. Six years ago Taylor missed what became the Brendon McCullum triple century test at the Basin for son Jonty’s arrival, which handed a 21-year-old Tom Latham a debut at No 4.

‘‘Tom’s been a big fan of Jonty ever since,’’ Taylor quipped.

And, thankfully, it’s a daytime test. For Taylor’s late night 100th Twenty20 international at Mount Maunganui, cameras caught Mackenzie having a great time with her Mum in the crowd, cheering Dad on while Jonty slept. Having family close by has helped Taylor’s career longevity, too, and prolonged the pukana celebration for every century (Mackenzie’s request).

‘‘As a parent it’s nice to see the influence people have and how they become role models and mould different individuals.

‘‘Mackenzie’s favourite player is [White Fern] Amelia Kerr and if the women’s cricket wasn’t on TV she’d be just watching Dad. That’s a nice thing for her and other girls and the rest of the country to watch.’’

For now, all cricketing eyes will be on the Basin from Friday morning as Taylor gets to revel in his achievement, thank his many supporters and try to lift the Black Caps into a stirring contest with the world’s No 1 team. Cricket is fun for Taylor right now, he feels he’s batting as well as ever and still has plenty of runs left.

‘‘You always want to do well and first and foremost the game is more important. At the same time you can put extra pressure on yourself. You’ve just got to go out and enjoy it and take it as another game. Hopefully I can contribute in any way I can.’’

‘‘He saw something in me that I never did.’’ Ross Taylor