Taylor hunts elusive winner’s tag

ROSS Taylor is matter-of-fact when he reviews his career and previews New Zealand’s Champions Trophy hopes: is this the year he adds a world title to his list of credentials?

Taylor has stroked a New Zealand record 17 one-day centuries, is one behind the country’s Test best with 16, and with no plans to retire before the 2019 World Cup, he has the New Zealand records for the most runs in both formats firmly in his sights.

But his status as one of New Zealand’s greats does not count as much as team records for Taylor who lists “any time it’s a world tournament” as his cricket priority.

In 87 years of international cricket since New Zealand played their first Test in 1930, the only tournament they have won was when they beat India in the 2000 Champions Trophy final.

Since Taylor joined the side six years later the trophy cabinet has been bare, he notes, when asked to name his career highlights ahead of his fourth Champions Trophy tournament in England and Wales.

“Beating Australia 3-0 in the Chappell-Hadlee in 2007, the last World Cup [when New Zealand made the final for the first time] was pretty special and making the final of the [2009] Champions Trophy was a highlight,” he said.

“The players have played together for so long now we know each other so well. Our depth is probably our strength,” he said. “But we need to start well. We have two hard matches straight up against Australia and England and if we don’t start well the tournament’s over.”

And if this tournament doesn’t work out then Taylor said his next target was the 2019 World Cup “and after that, we’ll see.” — AFP