Taylor's treatment 'unfathomable' - Woodhill

Former New Zealand assistant coach Trent Woodhill has blamed the New Zealand team management for the "unfathomable" treatment of Ross Taylor, saying he sensed the trouble brewing during the team's tour of the West Indies last year. Taylor took temporary leave of absence from New Zealand cricket after losing his Test captaincy in December 2012, and returned to the national side for the T20 series against England.

"During the West Indies tour I was really frustrated with the way Ross Taylor was being treated, not by anyone other than the manager and a few of the senior players who weren't giving him the support that he needed," Woodhill told Sydney Morning Herald. "I don't think it was ever about Ross and Brendon. It was always about management. To me, Brendon should want to captain his country and I was all for a split captaincy, but it's just the way it was done [that was the problem].

"After the World Twenty20 I closed the book on New Zealand, but the way Ross was treated and is being treated I just feel bitter towards their treating [of] one of the best human beings I've ever met. Ross Taylor is literally the nicest guy you could ever meet and the most respectful and down to earth, and the way they treated him [was unfathomable]."

Following his removal from Test captaincy, Taylor said he "never" received support from Mike Hesson, the New Zealand coach, during his time as captain and that he was "surprised" by the timing of the decision that came after he had led New Zealand to victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Woodhill, who is from Australia, was involved with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League and will be part of the Delhi Daredevils support staff during the IPL. When asked about why he wasn't appointed the New Zealand coach, instead of Hesson, he said, "The New Zealanders didn't want a foreigner. They had issues with [former Australian coach and director of cricket] John Buchanan - he was ostracised, and still is - and the manager, players' association rep and new CEO [David White] all just wanted a Kiwi in there."