Ross Taylor Pips Virat Kohli To Win Best ODI Batting Performance Of 2018
Updated - 26 Feb 2019, 11:28 AM
2018 saw some scintillating knocks in One-Day Internationals (ODI). Virat Kohli’s 160 against South Africa, Jason Roy’s whirlwind 180 against Australia, Shimron Hetmyer’s 106 against India and Ross Taylor’s 181 against England are some of the most memorable knocks from the ODIs last year. Well, Taylor has pipped everyone to win the Best ODI batting performance of the Year award a the ESPNcricinfo Awards 2018.
Taylor scored an unbeaten 181 to guide New Zealand to a thrilling five-wicket victory over England. The right-handed batsman was limping badly, finding it tough to take a run or move. However, he still came up with one of his best knocks as New Zealand scored 339 for five in 49.3 overs to chase down England’s 335 for nine. Taylor scored 17 fours and six sixes, h as New Zealand reached the target with three balls to spare, wincing with pain after every shot in the latter half of his innings.
New Zealand’s chase then started disastrously when openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro both went for ducks. Kane Williamson and Taylor then steadied the ship with an 84-run partnership before Ben Stokes dismissed the New Zealand captain at 45 in the 17th over. Taylor and Tom Latham then combined for a 187-run partnership, with Latham contributing 71.
Taylor’s injury came when he was on 109 and had to dive to avoid a run-out, inflaming the thigh strain that forced him out of the previous match in the series. Taylor then relied on boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking. New Zealand eventually needed 80 from the last ten overs.
Colin de Grandhomme added a quickfire 23 before Henry Nicholls hit a six in the final over to give the hosts a remarkable victory. The win had helped New Zealand draw level in the five-match series, bringing the scoreline to 2-2.
Ross Taylor had injured himself after reaching ? and New Zealand were still far from their target
Unable to run, he did the most logical thing – hit boundaries
His 181 at Dunedin wins the best ODI batting performance of the yearhttps://t.co/Ox7PiRqd4o #ESPNcricinfoAwards pic.twitter.com/krCswnxM4n
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 25, 2019
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Ross Taylor Virat Kohli
