NZ vs ENG, 4th ODI: Twitter Goes Berserk As Ross Taylor's Ton Fires Kiwis To Miraculous Win
Very few would have thought that New Zealand would walk away with a win when both of their openers – Martin Guptill and Colin Munro- were dismissed for ducks while they were chasing 336 in the must-win fourth One-Day International against England. However, Ross Taylor came up with arguably his finest ODI knock to guide New Zealand to a miraculous 5-wicket win.
The right-handed batsman played an unbeaten knock of 181 as the hosts won the game to square the five-match series 2-2. The Black Caps were in a huge spot of bother after being reduced to 2 for 2. An 84-run stand between Kane Williamson and Taylor stopped the rot for a while. However, their chase looked derailed when their talismanic skipper was sent back by Ben Stokes for 45.
But just when it looked England would strengthen their grip on the game, Taylor and Tom Latham joined hands in the middle. The duo brought their team in the game by sharing a massive 187-run stand. The stand was broken when Tom Curran dismissed Latham for 71. But unlike Latham, Taylor remained till the end to ensure his side reach home. He was also well supported by Colin de Grandhomme who scored a quickfire 23 as New Zealand chased down the total with three balls remaining.
Earlier, centuries from Jonny Bairstow (138) and Joe Root (102) had propelled England to a massive 335 for 9 in the 50 overs. The visitors had looked well in control at 267 for in the 38th over but Ish Sodhi’ 4 for 58 quashed their hopes of scoring close to 400. England’s middle-order failed to get going which allowed New Zealand to restrict them to 335.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the game:
@<!---->R<!---->o<!---->s<!---->s<!---->L<!---->T<!---->a<!---->y<!---->l<!---->o<!---->r oh my word. One of the best. Hell of a knock and a tremendous win. Get the other eye checked mate just in case!!! Congratulations.
— Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8
What a win! And to a man in his prime and one of our very best ever. Well done mate @<!---->R<!---->o<!---->s<!---->s<!---->L<!---->T<!---->a<!---->y<!---->l<!---->o<!---->r
— Grant Robertson (@grantrobertson1) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8
Have some of that. Stunning Innings. Well batted Arjuna @<!---->R<!---->o<!---->s<!---->s<!---->L<!---->T<!---->a<!---->y<!---->l<!---->o<!---->r #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8
Take a bow Ross Taylor
— Carlos Brathwaite (@CRBrathwaite26) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8
If there are tears in heaven right now, they're coming from Martin Crowe watching this innings from his protege Ross Taylor. One of the greats. #<!---->K<!---->i<!---->w<!---->i<!---->g<!---->r<!---->i<!---->t #<!---->a<!---->l<!---->l<!---->c<!---->l<!---->a<!---->s<!---->s
— Marc Hinton (@marchintonffx) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8
https://twitter.com/KarikadaiBoy/status/971227504475176960
This Ross Taylor innings – on one leg – could be one of the greatest innings we’ve seen from a Blackcaps in ODI… h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->z<!---->n<!---->y<!---->n<!---->I<!---->L<!---->D<!---->J<!---->8<!---->g
— Veitchy on Sport (@veitchynz) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8
There are not enough superlatives for Ross Taylor right now. What an absolute legend. Turns 34 tomorrow too. Just. Wow. #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->w<!---->i<!---->D<!---->F<!---->H<!---->w<!---->f<!---->K<!---->R<!---->i
— Kimberlee Downs (@KimberleeDowns) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8
One of the greatest ODI run chases by New Zealand, chase England's 335/9 down after both openers fell for 0. one of the best ODI innings from Ross Taylor 181* in one leg. the most underrated senior cricketers today. Played @<!---->R<!---->o<!---->s<!---->s<!---->L<!---->T<!---->a<!---->y<!---->l<!---->o<!---->r. #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G @<!---->B<!---->L<!---->A<!---->C<!---->K<!---->C<!---->A<!---->P<!---->S
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8
Holy hell. Unbelievable. Hard to comprehend what we've just watched over the past eight hours. @<!---->R<!---->o<!---->s<!---->s<!---->L<!---->T<!---->a<!---->y<!---->l<!---->o<!---->r you deserve all the praise you get. Absolutely magnificent innings #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G
— Guy Heveldt (@GuyHeveldt) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8
Team needs to win to stay alive in the series. Target 336. @<!---->R<!---->o<!---->s<!---->s<!---->L<!---->T<!---->a<!---->y<!---->l<!---->o<!---->r hits 181* to help @<!---->B<!---->L<!---->A<!---->C<!---->K<!---->C<!---->A<!---->P<!---->S level the ODI series. One of the greatest innings of all-time.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8
Ross Taylor take a bow….
— Paul Newman (@Paul_NewmanDM) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8
https://twitter.com/AWBiggs/status/971260639757918208
