Taylor-made end with ball for batsman

The crowd demanded it, Tom Latham allowed it, and Ross Taylor delivered.

One of New Zealand’s greatest cricketers ended his test career by taking a wicket to clinch the Black Caps’ victory over Bangladesh in the second test in Christchurch yesterday.

Taylor had taken just two wickets in his previous 111 tests, but was given the chance to bowl the 79th over at Hagley Oval as conditions got gloomy with the visitors nine wickets down in their second innings.

With the third ball of his over, the 37-year-old enticed tailender Ebadot Hossain into an ungainly heave and New Zealand captain Tom Latham took an excellent catch to the delight of Taylor, his team-mates and the crowd.

Taylor joined illustrious company to have taken a wicket with his last test delivery, joining New Zealand bowling legend Sir Richard Hadlee and Sri Lankan spin great Muttiah Muralitharan.

‘‘I was wondering whether I had to come back and warm up tomorrow that was the main focus,’’ Taylor told Spark Sport about his emotions late in the day.

‘‘Tim [Southee] kept telling me to chuck it up [when I bowled] and I chucked it up and Tom [Latham] said that was the most pressure he’s felt the whole game.

‘‘It was an emotional game for me and my family and friends and the team-mates as well. It was good to get the win.’’

With the light fading, plenty of pressure from the crowd and Black Caps’ team-mates, Latham said he had to hand Taylor the ball.

Umpires Chris Gaffaney and Wayne Knights had also told him he couldn’t use pace, setting up a fairytale ending for Taylor.

‘‘It couldn’t be scripted any better,’’ Latham said.