Taylor 3rd Test ‘ton’, Kiwis 351/4
Ross Taylor scored his third test century and Jesse Ryder his second
in a record 271-run fourth-wicket partnership which lifted New Zealand
out of trouble and to 351 for four at stumps on the first day of the
second cricket against India.
Taylor and Ryder were thrown together in only the 11th over Thursday,
with New Zealand’s innings in collapse at 23 for three. They pursued
their partnership for the next 58.2 overs to lift the home side to 294-4
before Taylor was out for 151.
The partnership was the highest by a New Zealand pair for all wickets
against India, beating 231, and the highest for New Zealand’s fourth
wicket against all nations, beating the previous mark of 241. Ryder was
unbeaten on 137 at stumps, having batted more than seven hours for his
second century in consecutive tests after his 102 at Hamilton, where
India won by 10 wickets.
Taylor’s century was his first in five tests, since his 115 against
Australia at Brisbane in November, and came within 18 runs of his
highest score of 169, made against England at Old Trafford 10 months
ago.
Taylor struggled to curb his aggressive nature and offered chances
throughout his innings before finally lofting an attempted sweep to
Yuvraj Singh on the square leg boundary off Harbhajan Singh in the final
session.
Ryder, in contrast, played a composed and technically expert innings,
limiting his scoring shots to precise and predetermined areas and
offering few opportunities to the fielding side.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was ruled out of the match
Thursday with a back injury, handing the captaincy to Virender Sehwag
who led India for only the second time in a test. Taylor’s innings of
262 minutes and 204 balls was still the foundation of New Zealand’s
strong position at stumps on day one. He had come to the crease when New
Zealand was in the throes of its early collapse and was the first
batsman to offer resistance to India’s attack.
“I think I was a bit more nervous than normal,” Taylor said. “I
haven’t had a score for a while in the test arena so I was happy to get
one today.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself with goals and high standards and
the way I’ve played over the last few months hasn’t lived up to those
standards. This wasn’t the best hundred I’ve got but it was good to get
there.”
Taylor praised Ryder’s contribution.
“A lot credit has to go to Jesse,” he said. “I think he played
outstandingly well and to still be there, after over six hours, he’s
been great. “He played a big part in my innings today. He kept me going
and I have to thank him.”
Ryder and Taylor batted for more than two full sessions to change the
course of the opening day and to answer captain Daniel Vettori’s call on
batsmen to occupy the crease for long periods. It was a message lost on
New Zealand’s top order as Tim McIntosh was out, unluckily, for 12,
Jamie How for 1 and Martin Guptill for 8. NAPIER, New Zealand, AP
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