Taylor's humble roots

FINDING HIS TOUCH: Ross Taylor, one of Wairarapa's favourite sporting sons. PHOTO/FILE

YOU DON'T have to look far to find where Ross Taylor got his humbleness from.

There were no high fives or leaps into the air when one of Wairarapa's favourite sporting sons brought up first his century and then his double century during a magnificent first innings knock of 290 in the second test against the Aussies which finished in Perth yesterday.

And while he expressed satisfaction with his effort in the multitude of interviews he had to face afterwards it was typical of the 31-year-old that he talked more about what it could do for the team rather than his own personal good.

Taylor's Masterton-based parents Neil and Ann would have it no other way.

Speaking from his Beetham St home, Neil Taylor said he was "very proud" of what his son had achieved and the way he had handled himself in front of the media.

"He's never changed, he's never been one to be too excited about what he's done."

Neil Taylor said Ross had always been close to his grandmother, the late Sylvia, and she had often stressed to him the importance of staying humble, of keeping his feet on the ground. And since her death Ross had made a point of looking into the heavens to thank her for her support whenever he performed well.

"She's still watching over him, no question of that."

While unaware beforehand that Ross had consulted an eye specialist after the first test at the Gabba for the treatment of a pterygium in his left eye - an overgrowth of the thin clear membrane on the surface of the eye - Neil Taylor was not too disappointed with his form there because he had been sidelined for several weeks by a blow to the testicles during a training session in Zimbabwe. He was always likely to need time at the crease before he found his old touch.

Mind you, knowing what effect a further blow to that area might have did play on Neil Taylor's mind as he watched his son bat for near on two full days and overtake his mentor Martin Crowe's record for the highest test score by a New Zealand batsman in Australia, 188 in Brisbane in 1985. Hardly surprising considering Ross was facing the likes of Mitchell Starc, who clocked 160.4km/h during a blistering new-ball spell.

"There was always that worry he would get hit there again but, fortunately, that didn't happen," Neil Taylor said.

"It didn't do much for the nerves though."

Neil Taylor said Ross "wouldn't be bothered at all" by the Australians not shaking his hand or offering congratulations.

"He's not the sort of guy who worries about that sort of thing, he'd be more annoyed at getting out when he did!"