Hesson delighted with Taylor’s Twenty20 revival
With a shimmy down the pitch and a flay of the arms, Ross Taylor wound back the clock as three Pakistan deliveries soared onto the Bay Oval hill.
Little over a year since his Twenty20 international career looked over, the Black Caps’ senior batsman is back and a key man in the side to face Australia in Saturday’s tri-series opener in Sydney.
Initially picked for the first T20 against Pakistan only, Taylor helped ice the run chase on a tricky pitch with a lively 22 not out off 13 balls. Then, recalled for the decider in the injured Colin Munro’s absence, he unfurled the power game on Sunday.
Faheem Ashraf (twice) and Rumman Raees were deposited over mid-wicket for six in Taylor’s 25 off 11 balls, before he was given out caught behind to a controversial decision review system call.
New Zealand fell 18 runs short to lose the series 2-1 to Pakistan, but through no fault of Taylor who gave a stuttering run chase hope.
‘‘We’ve talked to Ross about what we want to see from him in terms of T20. That power game is something we really want him to bring out. Certainly in the field he’s showing really good intensity,’’ coach Mike Hesson said.
‘‘It’s been a good challenge for Ross and he’s taken it head on and deserves to be back in the mix.
‘‘We know Ross is a classy player and you add that bit of freedom and ability to take the attack on it just lengthens our batting and gives us another punch.’’
With Munro returning to the squad, and Hesson confident of the opener’s recovery from a hamstring injury, there was room for Taylor too.
After the World Twenty20 semifinal defeat to England in Delhi in March 2016, 33-year-old Taylor didn’t play another T20 international for 21 months when recalled to face West Indies in Nelson last month.
Now his 360 internationals worth of experience and
unshackled power will be a key at No 5 against captain David Warner’s Australians at one of world cricket’s premier venues.
Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson was the only squad member to drop out, with Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Ben Wheeler and Seth Rance the four quicks. Wheeler impressed Hesson on comeback from a long-term back injury, also displaying hitting power in domestic cricket and in game two in Auckland.
‘‘Ben’s that multi-skilled cricketer who, if we want to play three seamers allows us to do that and can take the new ball or bowl first change. He’s bowling good pace at the moment and is a good death option. It’s really nice to have him back.’’
On recent evidence the SCG pitch remains suited to slower bowling which means the Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi double act will be to the fore, with spin backup from captain Kane Williamson and maybe Anaru Kitchen, although it’s difficult to see where the latter fits into the XI with Munro and Taylor there.
Having won 13 in a row at home across the formats, New Zealand’s back-to-back defeats meant a rare series defeat at home as Pakistan took the world No 1 ranking. Hesson rated his side ‘‘slightly off’’, and said the key was to play with freedom and confidence they’d shown at home.
Australia look imposing with Big Bash stars Chris Lynn and D’arcy Short in the top order alongside Warner, matchwinner Marcus Stoinis and a balanced bowling attack for the Black Caps’ only offshore tri-series match.
‘‘The England Twenty20 side is very much similar to their one-day side who just performed so well against Australia [a 4-1 series win]. Australia is sort of a Big Bash allstars team. We’ve seen plenty of them, there’s certainly plenty of talent around and it’s going to be a heck of a series.’’