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    Ross Taylor: The Most Underrated Batter of his Generation

    Virat VermaBy

    The underrated gem of world cricket, Ross Taylor, played his last international game against the Netherlands on 4th April 2022. The kiwi batter announced his retirement in December when he was the leading run-scorer for New Zealand in both Tests and ODIs. Ross Taylor has amassed more than 18,000 runs for New Zealand in international cricket. Loved by his teammates and the cricket fraternity Taylor remained overshadowed by Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum for most of his career. Nevertheless, Ross Taylor has managed to carve a reputation with several remarkable innings that have pulled out his team from precarious situations.

    Career Statistics of Ross Taylor:

    Taylor has a staggering average of more than 47 in ODIs and 44 in Tests. He has scored 93 half-centuries and 40 centuries in international cricket for New Zealand. Along with being an exceptional batter, Ross Taylor was a great fielder with heightened awareness in the field, and 350 catches to his name.

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    Ross Taylor’s Underrated Knocks:

    1- 290 vs Australia

    Taylor scored the highest ever score by a visiting batter in Australia in the 2nd Test of New Zealand’s tour to Australia in 2015. It is also the highest away Test score ever by a New Zealand batter. The inning came at WACA, Australia’s fortress, making it unique. Ross Taylor formed a record partnership of 265 runs with Kane Williamson and propelled the Kiwis’ score to a massive 624 runs.

    2- 181 vs England

    Ross Taylor played his best knock in ODIs against England in 2018. While chasing 336, New Zealand had a disastrous start to reduce to 2-2. However, Ross Taylor, the best number 4 batter in Kiwi history, came with a determination of hunting the big total on his own. In his fine knock of 181 off 147, he smashed 17 fours and six sixes to win the thriller for New Zealand in the last over.

    3- 131* vs Pakistan

    In World Cup 2011, Ross Taylor played a career-defining knock of 131 against Pakistan to help his team score 302 runs and register a victory against Pakistan after 28 years. When Taylor arrived on the crease, New Zealand struggled on 55-2. However, he took the attack to Pakistani bowlers and smashed seven sixes and eight fours. New Zealand added 127 runs in the final nine overs against a bowling attack consisting of Shoaib Akhtar and Abdul Razzaq on the back of Taylor’s blazing offence in the death overs.

    Taylor’s Emotional Farewell:

    Ross Taylor got very emotional in his last international outing. His three lovely daughters accompanied him during the national anthem, where he could not control the tears falling from his eyes. In a beautiful gesture of respect and gentlemanship, Martin Guptill consoled Taylor, who went to get a guard of honour by the Netherlands. 

    Emotional Twitter posts from Blackcaps’ official handle:

     

     

    Also read: From Aggressive Player to Captain to a Leader, Virat Kohli’s Test Journey

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