New Zealand vs India: Ross Taylor's 9th ODI ton scripts series win for Kiwis
With a brilliant century against India, Ross Taylor has put his differences with the New Zealand cricket Board and his brief hiatus from the game behind him with sparkling run of form in recent months.
Former skipper Ross Taylor continued his brilliant run of form on Tuesday with a ninth ODI hundred in the fourth game against India at Hamilton. Set a fighting 279 for a win, Taylor came out to bat when the hosts were in a tricky situation at 58 for 2 inside nine overs. Taylor was unbeaten on 112 (15 fours) when New Zealand cantered past India with seven wickets and 11 balls to spare.
Taylor's 100, which came off 110 balls, was a gritty effort as he and Kane Williamson had to negotiate a tough batting period when the Indian bowlers were on top. Taylor then had to grind out against the spinners, who had put the brakes on the scoring rate. (Match highlights)
Taylor had entered the five-ODI series against India after a terrific Test series against the West Indies, where he scored three hundreds, including a double ton. His top form came to the fore as he recorded his first century against the Indians. The 29-year-old, the highest-ranked Kiwi batsman in the ICC ODI rankings, had already scored two fifties in the first three games. (Click here for latest on India's tour of New Zealand)
Taylor had an indifferent year 2012 after he had a fallout with coach Mike Hesson and the cricket Board after he was asked to step down from captaincy after several disagreements with the team management.
Once back in the side after a two-month hiatus, Taylor showed consistency with the bat with a hundred against England at home, followed by two fifties against the same team in the summer. With Tuesday's century, he will remind Indian Premier League franchises about his reputation as a quality stroke maker. Taylor has played for four IPL teams, including Royal Challengers Bangalore.