Taylor hints at return for England series

Posted by   on (January 10, 2013, 13:27 GMT) - Featured comment

New Zealand really do need Taylor back in the team. Daniel Flynn time and time again shows some substance but then gets out. Too many starts and 50s but not enough match winning 100s. New Zealand need to look elsewhere. James franklin has become a limited overs bits and pieces all round. No real pace or control to threaten top class batsmen and his batting is just frustrating or just plain ordinary. Guptil and mccullum are not test match openers. Mccullum was more suited and productive when he kept wicket and batted at 7 as his natural game is being aggressive. Top quality test match openers should look to hit the leather off the ball what mccullum looks to do at times.

Posted by   on (January 13, 2013, 7:05 GMT)

To compete with England in the ODI's and Tests NZ will have to field a full strength team - The likes of Taylor, Ryder, Southee, Vettori have to be in the side. They are relatively consistent performers at international level and need to be there to provide guidance for the younger players in the side who have shown much promise but have yet to deliver (Williamson, Guptill). The importance of player combinations should not be understated - Having a proper opening batsmen with some international experience such as Lou Vincent would definitely be good for Guptill (McCullum is middle-lower order batsmen at best); Taylor batting with Williamson; Ryder and McCullum combine well in the middle order and having Vetorri there in the lower order to guide the new middle-lower order batsmen in the team (Munro, Cachopa) would be ideal. The players are there - the mental approach and hence game management (like course management in golf) needs to be priority if we are to see success against England

@Ken McCarron on (January 10 2013, 20:12 PM GMT), FFL is in a stupidity competition with RandyOZ and, while FFL is putting in a good effort, Randy just has too big a lead on him. "Minnow" is not originally an FFL phrase, so if you find it annoying then thank your countryman.

As someone who lives in Australia but doesn't support the Australia cricket team, I naturally have a softspot for NZ, who are Australia's neighbour and therefore natural sporting rival. They have long been over-achievers based on available player and financial resources, so it pains me to see their current struggles. As an England fan, I'm a little conflicted about the upcoming series. England have had their own troubles lately and I want them to score some emphatic wins and make their way back to the top of the rankings, but I also don't want to see NZ continually thumped by anybody. Whatever happens, I hope NZ are not prevented from putting their best team on the field by politics. I guess I'd like to see England win every game but not by huge margins. We'll save the thumpings for the following Ashes series. I'd then like to see NZ get their house in order and stop losing so regularly, then start winning some.

Posted by   on (January 11, 2013, 11:12 GMT)

i just want to say one thing......taylor is more important to nz than piterson is to england.

NZ need a calm collective leader and Mcclum isn't that !! why would the take captaincy from ross taylor is beyond me. ... taylor and jesse ryder would've been top players for NZ but now no one will know how high ryder could've gone.

In responce to Chris Rowe I think you are a little miss guided. in the last 20 years NZ and Eng have played in 8 series which england have won 6, lost 1 and drawn 1. england have won the last 3 and we drew in 01/02. NZ's only win came in 99. england will walk this series. to much depth in our bowling stocks and with Cook, KP and prior looking good in India with Bell and Trott getting some form back we are a very strong unit. Massive fan of ross taylor and you will need him in this series stand a chance of getting something out of it!

Posted by   on (January 11, 2013, 0:48 GMT)

its funny how its forgotten that last time we faced england in england. we won the series. Last time england came here, we won the series.

The sooner the better. Massive blunder on Hesson's part, compounded by NZC backing him up over a young captain who has delivered two wins in the past 13 months, not to mention a draw against the #1 side. Hope Taylor's form hasn't slipped during his break.