Ross Taylor: "I have probably batted better in the past but the game awareness has improved a little" © Getty Images Enlarge

New Zealand's fresh batting line-up has lifted Ross Taylor to senior-player status and it means he has to remind himself to rein in his attacking stroke play. Taylor managed it during a match-winning 64 in the opening one-day match against Australia in Perth to set up a thrilling last-ball victory.

Taylor's next engagement is at the MCG on Friday and he will continue to apply the altered outlook. "With the likes of Martin Guptill and Neil Broom being the junior partners, I suppose I have to take a little more responsibility and rein myself in," Taylor told NZPA.

"But I'm enjoying the role that I've got. I've had a few good innings now but there's still a lot to learn and hopefully it can continue."

Taylor is having an impressive run, having scored 509 runs at 84.83 in his past 11 matches, and has noticed a change in his play. "I think I'm batting the most maturely I have," he said. "I have probably batted better in the past but the game awareness has improved a little."