Look who’s back
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.’’
Mark Chapman, who looked out of his depth and threw away his wicket batting in Taylor’s spot last weekend, has been released from the squad.
All-rounder Todd Astle and seamers Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson have remained with the team. They were unable to get a proper look at what’s sure to be a seamer-friendly University Oval wicket because it remained covered yesterday.
Having scratched their scheduled training at the ground, a bunch of squad members utilised the indoor nets at the Edgar Centre on the same day the Highlanders also opted to get out of the cold.
All-rounder Mitchell Santner, who missed a T20 match with a right-knee injury last month, was there but didn’t appear to be overly comfortable.
However, understands his strapped knee isn’t expected to stop him from fronting in the must-win match.
New Zealand have won all six of their ODIs in Dunedin, the latest by 183 runs against Pakistan in January, but Taylor knows the streak will end if the top and middle order doesn’t front up.
‘‘Obviously we need to get off to a good start, set the platform. We know we’re a good side when we have wickets in hand and can utilise the death overs to our advantage.
‘‘There is no use going out there helter-skelter and you’re four for spit and you’re playing catch-up the whole time.
‘‘All the players know their roles. Hopefully I can contribute to that,’’ Taylor said.