Cricket World Cup: Black Cap bat man Ross Taylor returns

Black Cap Ross Taylor responds to a challenge. Photo / Getty Images

Taylor has proven he can beat Aussies at their own game, says Andrew Alderson.

Only one New Zealander in the World Cup squad has a one-day international century against Australia and a Cricket World Cup ton; the same Black Cap batsman averages more than 50 facing their bowlers at home.

Enter Ross Taylor. He brings match-winning experience to the contest against the world's No 1 side at Eden Park tomorrow. Australia will showcase a raft of new players since New Zealand last completed a match against them at the 2011 World Cup, but Taylor has pedigree repelling their attacks.

Batting at first drop in his 15th ODI innings eight years ago at Eden Park, New Zealand needed 337 to win. Taylor responded to the challenge. He anchored the New Zealand innings from the third over with 117 off 127 balls until Peter Fulton, Craig McMillan and Brendon McCullum brought it home from the 39th over. The successful chase was, at least until two days later in Hamilton, the second highest ODI total hauled in.

A crowd of 25,000 watched that Sunday; 40,000 will attend this one. Taylor finds that more inspiring than intimidating.

"They'll be right behind us and no doubt full of good advice for the Australians. Pressure situations like that are what you play cricket for, it adds to the big occasion. Fortunately, a lot of our guys have played in the Indian Premier League where such crowds are nothing unusual but the prospect of a packed house in your own country is great ...

"Mind you, the Australians have just played in front of 90,000 in Melbourne against England.

"We've got an experienced side with the likes of Vettori [54 caps against Australia], McCullum [42], Mills [23] and Southee [12]. The transtasman rivalry adds something given most of us have grown up watching the annual ODI tri-series over there."

Taylor endured angst in the aftermath of his captaincy demotion in late 2012 but maintained his dignity in the public eye. He has scored a phenomenal number of runs and taken numerous crucial catches in the interim across all formats.

"The confidence of the team has been lifted with guys stepping up at different times. When you don't succeed there's always the belief someone else can pick up the slack. That's enabled us to play consistent cricket. Everyone is there to contribute and make Brendon's job as easy as possible. He's under a lot of pressure with the tournament at home, so you do whatever you can.

"A number of guys have now played a lot of games including the likes of [Tim] Southee, [Martin] Guptill and [Kane] Williamson in their second World Cups."

Taylor said the innings blueprint of trying to get to the 35-over mark with no more than three wickets down was something former coach John Wright had looked to employ since late 2010 and the current team had begun perfecting.

"If you're in that situation, more often than not you can capitalise. It's important to set a platform, especially with two new balls. The small New Zealand grounds generally allow you to catch up - so you're not panicking in the chase for seven or eight runs an over."

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