NZ vs BAN: Ross Taylor Equals Daniel Vettori's Tally Of 112 Tests In His Final Test Match

New Zealand’s talisman Ross Taylor quelled former skipper Daniel Vettori’s record of playing the most number of Test matches for his country.

Taylor was part of New Zealand’s playing XI against Bangladesh in the second Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. This is Taylor’s 112th Test and as a result, he equalled Vettori’s tally to become New Zealand’s most-capped Test player.

Ross Taylor to retire from Test cricket after the second Test against Bangladesh

Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming played 111 Tests while swashbuckling opener Brendon McCullum appeared in 101 Test matches between 2004-16.

Interestingly, the second Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh in Christchurch will be Taylor’s swansong in the red-ball format.

Taylor, who made his Test debut in 2007 against South Africa in Johannesburg, will end up as the highest run-scorer of New Zealand with 7656 runs from 111 Tests (before the Christchurch Test).

We were outplayed by Bangladesh in the first Test: Admits Ross Taylor

New Zealand lost the first Test by eight wickets to Bangladesh at the Bay Oval and that was Bangladesh’s first win against New Zealand in a Test match. 

Taylor applauded the Asian side’s efforts and said that it was a good result for the game of cricket. 

“I think for Bangladesh to come in, a proud nation with a lot of proud history, for the game of cricket and Test cricket, I don’t think this was a bad result,” Taylor said in a pre-match press conference. 

“Obviously, we were disappointed that we didn’t put up a bit of a contest. We were outplayed the whole time but I think for Test cricket to survive, we need Bangladesh to be a thriving nation,” he added. 

Talking about the second Test in Christchurch, the 37-year-old batter said that the conditions will suit them and their batters will have to bat with more sharpness. 

“The bowlers will be licking their lips and us batters need to apply ourselves better than we did at the Mount. I think these conditions will suit us a lot more than they did at the Mount,” he said.

New Zealand were asked to bat first by the visitors after losing the toss. The Black Caps came strong after the first Test defeat as they posted 349/1 at the end of stumps on Day.

Skipper Tom Latham scored a blazing 186 while Devon Conway was batting on 99* and is one run shy from his third Test hundred. 

Also Read: Don’t Think There’s Going To Be Many People Who Are Going To Be Able To Do What Brendon McCullum Did In His Last Match – Ross Taylor