Ross Taylor New Zealand vs Windies 2017/18
Ross Taylor.

Last Update on: January 6th, 2020 at 02:10 pm

Amid New Zealand’s shambolic defeat at the Sydney Cricket Ground by 279 runs in the third Test and consequently the series, Ross Taylor emerged as the highest run-getter for New Zealand in Tests. Taylor began his second innings, 21 runs shy of overtaking former Kiwi captain Stephen Fleming’s tally of 7172 runs. He crossed the milestone by playing a lofted shot off Nathan Lyon that went for three runs.

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The crowd at the SCG gave him a standing ovation for reaching the milestone when it was announced to them at the end of the over. The Australian counterparts also reached out to him to acknowledge the achievement. Sadly, he couldn’t add beyond 22 as Pat Cummins castled him with an absolute peach of a delivery that nipped slightly to uproot the off-stump.

Ross Taylor
Ross Taylor /Getty Images

The 35-year old, who will play his 100th Test match next month against India, made his first appearance in Test cricket against South Africa in 2007 in Johannesburg. In 99 Tests, he has 19 centuries, which is the second-highest to Kane Williamson, who has 21 for the nation. Behind the veteran in terms of highest run-getters for the Black Caps are Stephen Fleming, Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, and Martin Crowe.

Brendon McCullum pays tribute to Ross Taylor:

As soon as the right-hander breached past the milestone, former captain, Brendon McCullum took to Twitter to congratulate him. McCullum stated that among the 278 Test cricketers from the nation, Taylor deserves to sit on the top of the mountain. He further remarked that on his monumental achievement, his greatness is etched among New Zealand’s cricketing folklore.

Here’s his tweet:

Ross Taylor is not only the highest run-scorer for the country in Tests but also 50-over cricket, having achieved it back in February 2019 against Bangladesh. After suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Australia down under, India will invade the shores of New Zealand to play a two-Test series in February. Kane Williamson’s men will have to regroup fast against the number one Test team.

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