Cricket: Don't worry, Taylor's on way back

All the signs are that Ross Taylor, who scored three consecutive ODI centuries last month, will emerge from his batting slump in time for the World Cup. Photo / Getty Images

Top New Zealand batsman is a victim of his own success, reports Andrew Alderson

New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan has sought to allay concerns about a Ross Taylor batting crisis and, if statistics are a guide, his drought of runs is near an end.

Taylor is a victim of his consistent success over the past couple of years. With a one-day international average of 40.39 from 134 innings, he is one of three players to average over 40, along with Glenn Turner (47 from 40 innings) and Kane Williamson (43.78 from 57).

The expectation is he or Williamson will anchor an innings and ease New Zealand to the 35th over mark from which closers like Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi tear attacks apart with wickets to spare in the last 15 overs.

Taylor's consecutive innings of 34, 3, 8 and 20 have activated a red alert among local fans. The manner of his dismissal slogging to mid-wicket in the first Dunedin ODI was also uncharacteristic.

The numbers suggest it's no time to fret. The longest spell Taylor has endured without reaching 40 in ODIs has been seven matches, once from April to December 2007 and again from February to December 2009. History suggests he'll emerge from the current dip in time for the World Cup.

This is also the same Taylor who, in the United Arab Emirates against Pakistan during December, became the first New Zealander to score three consecutive ODI centuries. He scored 105 not out in the first match and bookended it with 88 not out in the final match to help his team-mates win the series.

McMillan defended Taylor's form.

"We know what a quality batsman he is, so when he comes good, he wins you games. From a team point of view, it's satisfying there are a couple of guys not scoring the weight of runs they'd like, but others are stepping up.

"He goes through different routines [like using just the top hand on the bat for throwdowns] and he's working hard in the nets. Unfortunately at the moment that work hasn't transferred out into the middle but it will. It's probably a bit frustrating for him but he's not far off. He's doing his drills diligently.

"If you look at the batting group, Ross is probably the only one who hasn't got a significant score [this series]. Everyone's chipped in at different times."

McMillan favoured players opting for a trigger movement, like Taylor does, generally using the back foot to get in line with the ball at the point of delivery.

"It's an individual thing. It gives some players a little more time [to play] while others try to stay as still as possible.

"It's something a batsman might try at different times during his career. It works for some, while others find it difficult to get the timing right. If the timing's not right, it can give you less time. It's important you find what you like, then stick to it."

Grant Elliott appeared to benefit from the technique as he stepped in front of his stumps during his century on Friday and accessed the shorter University Oval boundary. After backing up from his 44 in Nelson, he has pushed ahead of Tom Latham in the contest to start at 5.

"I think [Elliott's decision was] great because it asks different challenges of the bowler. I saw Grant during the Georgie Pie Super Smash doing that and it puts the pressure on. It leaves bowlers to say: do I go at the stumps and get a bit greedy because I can see them, or do I go wider?

"I thought Grant's innings was superb in terms of tempo and craft. Those are the sort of questions you want to ask bowlers in the last 10 overs. The power lower down our order showed it can do some real damage."

The figures
Ross Taylor's longest periods without reaching 40 in ODIs (his average is 40.39 in 134 innings)
7: April-December 2007
7: February-September 2009
6: December 2007-February 2008
6: September-November 2009
5: June-July 2008