NEW ZEALAND GREAT TAYLOR GETS STANDING OVATION IN HIS FAREWELL GAME

HAMILTON: Ross Taylor made 14 for New Zealand against the Netherlands in the third oneday international (ODI) on Monday, coming to the crease and leaving it to a standing ovation.

The match was Taylor’s 450th and last for New Zealand before he retires at the end of a 16-year international career. The 38-year-old batter played his last Test against South Africa this year but decided to make this match on his home ground at Seddon Park his final bow.

His children, MacKenzie, Jonty and Adelaide, stood beside him during the national anthems and he went through a guard of honour formed by Netherlands players.

Taylor played his first oneday international for New Zealand in 2006 and his first Test the following year. He went on to play 112 Tests, scoring 7,683 runs, including 19 centuries, and 236 one-day internationals in which he made 8,593 runs. He also scored 1,909 runs in 102 T20Is.

Taylor had a long wait for his last innings on Monday. New Zealand batted first after winning the toss and a 203-run partnership for the second wicket between Martin Guptill and Will Young delayed his appearance until the 39th over.

Guptill made 106 and Young went on to score 120 as New Zealand made 333/8. Matt Henry then took 4/36 as New Zealand bowled out the Netherlands for 218 to win the match by 115 runs and sweep the threematch series. As soon as he appeared the crowd rose to its feet. Taylor hit a six among his 14 runs before mistiming a ball from Logan van Beek and offering the bowler a simple return catch. He turned toward the changing room for the last time with a smile on his face. The opposing players formed up on either side as he walked slowly from the field, acknowledging the long ovation of the crowd.