Taylor’s call: Yes? No? Wait?
England cricket coach Trevor Bayliss might be onto something.
Ross Taylor’s troublesome thigh and his availability for today’s ODI series decider at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval was front and centre of conversation at yesterday’s media sessions.
Black Caps wicketkeeper Tom Latham, who shared in a crucial 187-run fourth wicket partnership with Taylor in Dunedin on Wednesday, wasn’t sure when quizzed on the veteran batsman’s availability.
Bayliss was more to the point and expected Taylor to line up in the winner-takes-all fifth match in front of a sold-out crowd of 9500.
England were planning as if he would be in the side and Bayliss joked that injury did little to slow Taylor down.
‘‘Hopefully, he doesn’t get an injury because he plays pretty well when he gets an injury.’’
Taylor took the match away from England in Dunedin, hitting an unbeaten 181 while battling through severe cramp and a thigh injury, which he aggravated while diving to complete a second run on 109.
Taylor’s inclusion will be a game-day decision, but the likelihood of him playing seems to be increasing.
He had some brief throw-downs yesterday and was able to jog around the boundary rope with Black Caps physiotherapist Tommy Simsek with his left thigh strapped. Taylor also took part in some shuttle runs.
Taylor’s availability would give New Zealand a huge boost, but coach Mike Hesson stressed on Thursday he wouldn’t be risked if it was going to jeopardise his longterm health or put him in doubt for the looming two-test series, beginning on March 22. Hesson will also be aware of Hagley’s long dimensions and the fact twos and threes are common at the ground.
Should Taylor be battling to scramble between the wickets, his
chances of playing would diminish. Auckland’s Mark Chapman is with the squad as cover should Taylor be ruled out.
Latham had the best seat in the house in Dunedin for much of Taylor’s innings and rated it among the best he’d witnessed.
Heading into the England ODIs, Latham was under pressure for his No 5 batting spot after failing to reach 50 in his seven 50-over innings against the West Indies and Pakistan this home summer.
The Cantabrian has relieved any anxiety around the selectors’ table with 79 in the first match and 71 in another win in Dunedin. In both matches, he combined for critical partnerships with Taylor after New Zealand had been in early trouble. Taylor’s steadying influence had been vital for his own confidence.
‘‘It’s obviously great to bat with someone like that with one, his experience, and two, the form he’s in,’’ Latham said.
‘‘He’s hitting the ball pretty well. That innings the other day was something pretty special that you don’t get to see often.’’
Despite battling for white-ball runs to start the home summer, Latham felt in decent nick and was confident he was one substantial score away from finding form.
Having previously opened in ODIs, he was adjusting to his new middle-order role at No 5. Latham was used in that spot in India in October and thrived, scoring 103 not out, 38 and 65.
"Hopefully, he doesn't get an injury because he plays pretty well when he gets an injury."
England coach Trevor Bayliss, above, on Ross Taylor