Taylor expected to face South Africa in T20 warm- up
Key batsman Ross Taylor will line up against South Africa for a New Zealand XI in their warm- up T20 match at Eden Park on Tuesday.
However it’s not expected to lead to a possible recall to the New Zealand squad for the only T20 international at the same ground next Friday night.
Taylor will sit out Central Districts’ playoff match in the Ford Trophy against Northern Districts today and the penultimate game and final in the competition, should CD make it that far.
The idea is to give New Zealand’s senior batsman a look at the South African attack ahead of the five- game ODI series starting at Hamilton’s Sed- don Park next Sunday.
Taylor wasn’t wanted for the three- game T20 series against Bangladesh and his chances of making it back for Friday night appear slim. He has played 73 T20 internationals, but none since the final match of the world T20 in India early last year.
The New Zealand squad for the T20/ ODI series i s expected to be named tomorrow, with Taylor’s CD chum Tom Bruce a strong chance to retain his place from the Bangladesh series.
Two other players expected to figure in the T20 warm- up game are opener Martin Guptill, making his way back from a hamstring strain, and fast bowler Adam Milne.
The injury- plagued CD quick hasn’t been sighted in domestic cricket this season. He strained a side muscle in Christchurch in the nets before the second test against Bangladesh last month, but is coming along nicely in training with a chance to figure in the ODI series and some Plunket Shield cricket in March, if his fitness is up to scratch.
CD, chasing their third straight Ford Trophy title, will be fancied against ND, who are without four international players, national skipper Kane Williamson, allrounder Mitchell Santner, and new ball pair Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Top qualifiers Wellington play second- placed Canterbury with the winner to advance straight to next weekend’s final.