Taylor a reassuring talisman

For New Zealand cricket fans, a species prone to anxiety, few moments offer reassurance like Ross Taylor’s first run-scoring square cut in an innings.

In the truncated final one-day international against the West Indies, locals had to wait six balls for the customary signal, like white smoke billowing from the Vatican chimney, that Taylor is ready for action.

Sheldon Cottrell was bowling a tidy spell that finished with two wickets for 19 runs from six overs.

Taylor found enough width to free his arms and slash through cover point. He was off the mark with a single. He pierced the area twice more for boundaries.

Taylor has become a talisman for New Zealand’s fortunes. Yesterday was no exception. He came to the wicket at the end of the fifth over with his side 26 for two. Three balls later they were 26 for three as Colin Munro exited.

Taylor rebuilt the innings, making 47 off 54 balls. The right-hander formed the key 73-run partnership with captain Tom Latham, who contributed 37 from 42. Taylor also caught Shai Hope for two when a Trent Boult delivery was flayed into his hands at mid-wicket.

The wider context is that Taylor has enjoyed an exceptional summer, scoring 39 or more in seven of his nine international innings in India and at home.

In tests, he averages 108 from three