Taylor-made target
Batsman chases his hero Hogan
Seddon Park, and the West Indies. It’s seemingly a match made in heaven for Ross Taylor, as he looks to join past and present New Zealand batting royalty in the test century stakes.
After going so close to equalling his late mentor Martin Crowe, and current Black Caps captain Kane Williamson, on 17 test tons, with his 93 in the first test in Wellington, Taylor now has a prime opportunity to achieve the feat amid the comforts of home in Hamilton.
And going by his record at the venue, and against the men from the Caribbean, the Black Caps’ dependable No 4 may well get the business done during this second test, starting today, which would repeat Williamson’s exploits done at the same venue, in March against South Africa.
Taylor has a test average of 47.46, which bloats to 64.40 against the Windies, while he has scored a quarter of his tons at Seddon Park, with four from 18 knocks. While not aware his record was that much superior in Hamilton, the father-of-three put it down to the fact he could spend time at home and take his mind off the game.
‘‘It is nice just to sleep in your own bed and stay at home on game day, try and do all the normal things – be a dad, make breakfast.
‘‘But you know what you’re going to get here in Hamilton – short boundaries probably play a part as well.’’
With Taylor seeing it well in the first innings of the summer, it could be that those short boundaries get ready for another peppering, as he looks to reach that magical milestone of 17.
‘‘There’s not as many opportunities to do it, so you’ve got to make the most of it,’’ he said.
‘‘I know if I go through the right preparation, give myself the best chance and continually do that, that I will be able to get to 17, 18 or whatever. Seventeen is the benchmark that Hogan [Crowe] wanted me to get to and beat. But he said, also, carry on and don’t stop there. Hopefully, in time, Kane will probably end up with about 40.’’
Second time out, Taylor will expect to face a more probing attack from the West Indians, as they look to bounce back from their innings and 67-run defeat at the Basin.
While the Black Caps have had the luxury of bringing Tim Southee back in from paternity leave at the expense of Matt Henry, the tourists have skipper Jason Holder suspended for a slow overrate, and were yet to decide on a replacement, with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo a chance, but
‘‘Seventeen is the benchmark that Hogan [Crowe] wanted me to get to and beat. But he said, also, carry on and don’t stop there.’’
Ross Taylor, above, left, with his mentor Martin Crowe
After winning the first test by an innings, New Zealand will be expected to complete a two-match series clean sweep over the West Indies in Hamilton.
What should we keep an extra eye out for starting at Seddon Park in Hamilton today?
Should we give a toss?
There will be the usual pile of pontification over what the respective skippers should do if the coin falls in their favour on Saturday morning. But recent results for tests in New Zealand have shown that the adage ‘‘good toss to lose’’ is on a par with getting to decide your plans. So let’s not care.
Can Raval kick on?
Since making his test debut in November last year, Auckland lefthander Jeet Raval has proved to be a rare steadying influence on the NZ top order. He averages an impressive 44.58 and has had nine scores between 33 and 88. Can he now, in his ninth test, take the step up to register his maiden test ton – a la Colin de Grandhomme and Tom Blundell in the first test in Wellington – and possibly provide an innings that is clearly a matchwinning knock?
Play the leggie
There seemed to be an indication on Thursday from West Indies coach Stuart Law that legspinner Devendra Bishoo won’t be the replacement for suspended captain Jason Holder in the playing XI at Seddon Park. Law suggested that previous performances and statistics meant that the venue wouldn’t be conducive for spin bowling. Bishoo’s test record isn’t overly imposing – 102 wickets in 28 tests at 36.01 – but he took 13 scalps in two tests in Zimbabwe in October and New Zealand’s batsmen didn’t seem to be too overwhelmed by the Windies pace attack at the Basin Reserve in their only innings.
Pressure on Santner
Centuries from the two men batting below him in the order in the capital has only brightened the spotlight on Black Caps allrounder Mitchell Santner. The 25-year-old has now played 16 tests and averages 25.52 with the bat and 38.96 with the ball. He doesn’t have to switch those figures around to be an indispensable figure in the side, but he shouldn’t be regarded as a project any more.
History against Windies
The visitors have played twice at Seddon Park previously, with disastrous results. In December 1999, the tourists ended day one at 282-1 and managed to turn that superiority into a nine-wicket defeat early on day five. Four years ago in Hamilton, the winning margin for the hosts was eight wickets following another second innings batting horror show from the Windies.