ICC World Cup 2019: If the Ball Swings Like That, Bowlers Will be Licking Their Lips - Ross Taylor

New Zealand talisman batsman Ross Taylor has stated that if the ball swings like in the warm-up match against India, the bowlers are going to have a merry time. It was a green top at Kennington Oval, London and the ball was moving both ways. The Kiwis pack leader Trent Boult made the most of the conditions on offer and scalped four wickets. Boult conceded 33 runs in his spell and bowled with fire.

In fact, it is anticipated that the English pitches are going to conducive for the batsmen. However, it was a different story altogether in the warm-up match between India and New Zealand. Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first as he wanted his batters to go through the acid test.

Ross Taylor scored a fine knock of 71.

However, the Indian batsmen could not live up to the expectations as they faltered like a pack of cards. Only Ravindra Jadeja was able to show some resistance as the southpaw batsman scored a fighting fifty and followed it with his typical sword celebration.

Ross Taylor said that the bowler’s eyes are going to light up if the conditions will be similar in the World Cup matches.

“Felt a bit rusty over the last of a couple of days. Probably getting over jet lag and that is why the warm-ups are being played. If the ball does swing like that, the bowlers will be licking their lips. Few guys had a hit. The bowlers as well. The ball just stuck (about his catch). I didn’t really see it,” Ross Taylor said after the match in the post-match presentation.

Meanwhile, the talisman batsman was at his best. The Kiwis were chasing a small target of 180 runs and cruised to a convincing six-wicket win. Ross Taylor played a key hand in his team’s comprehensive win as he scored a fine knock of 71 runs. The Blackcaps captain Kane Williamson also scored a good inning of 67 runs to help his team get close to the target.

New Zealand will play their second warm-up match against West Indies at County Ground, Bristol on 28th May. The 2015 World Cup runners-up will begin their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on 1st June at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.