KEY POINTS:
Ross Taylor knows Hobart hospital rather too well. He spent more time there than he wanted last season when he was put on a drip last January after hitting a thrilling 84 against Australia during the Tri-Series at Bellerive Oval.
Taylor underwent a series of tests, having also been hospitalised in Napier after belting his highest ODI score, 128 not out against Sri Lanka, a couple of weeks earlier.
His problems were put down to a combination of dehydration, diet and nerves.
That's now in the past, but he's hoping his Hobart innings, and the confidence he got from that, plus his bracing man of the match-winning 117 against the Australians at Eden Park last February during the subsequent Chappell Hadlee Trophy win, will pay a dividend in the series decider today.
"I'm as fit and healthy as I have been but would like to bat a bit more time and give it a real test," Taylor said yesterday.
The 23-year-old plays his 30th ODI today and is averaging 33.20. It's a useful start but he knows he needs to do more.
"The last 12 months have been a bit of a learning curve. I've had ups and downs - a few more downs than I would have liked - but that builds character. You learn a lot more when you're down but I hope to be more consistent."
Taylor, who hit a run-a-ball 50 in the opening series game in Adelaide last Friday - admittedly helped along early by a generous pile of tripe served up by Australian left arm spinner Brad Hogg - said he had worked on his game during the South African tour which preceded Australia, including a pre-delivery back foot movement.
The coaching manuals talk of the importance of remaining still at the crease before the ball is bowled. But it doesn't suit Taylor.
"Through the winter I tried to keep as still as possible in my stance and I found that wasn't working for me. I had to do a little step across to get my feet moving and it wasn't till Adelaide that it worked.
"Quite often you don't always see the results straight away so it was good to get a score there. But that's all it was."
Meaning it was a start. But Taylor, with his ability to score fast and natural talent, knows he's got to become a regular solid contributor to a New Zealand batting lineup, which is prone to embarrassing tumbles.
Although Taylor savoured his 84 at Hobart last season, and the ton against the Sri Lankans, both games were lost, which is why the Eden Park century last February against the Australians is special.
"One of the biggest things when you get into a new team, and being young, is whether you belong.
"After the 100 against Sri Lanka there were a couple of low scores and you start thinking whether that was a fluke.
"So the 100 [at Eden Park] reinforced that I was good enough to play at this level, and to score 100 which led to a win was a really good feeling."
If he can regather his previous Hobart touch and make a substantial contribution to a win today, his stocks will have taken another leap forward.
