Taylor's ton helps New Zealand claim series

Ross Taylor's sensational century helped New Zealand beat India by seven wickets in the fourth ODI to seal the series with a game to spare.

Taylor, who was dismissed cheaply in Auckland in the third ODI, made his innings count and kept the pressure on India's bowlers. Despite a cautious start by him, New Zealand were in command due to the solid platform laid by their openers, Jesse Ryder and Martin Guptill, who put on a quickfire 54 runs in 7.2 overs.

Taylor, who came to the crease in ninth over after Guptill's departure for 35, combined forces with Kane Williamson.

The pair thwarted any attempt by India's bowlers to wrestle the advantage. Taylor's innings was exceptional in its discipline: he didn't try his favourite slog-sweep, in fact he scored just 10 runs in his midwicket arc. Most of his runs came behind and in front of square on the off side.

Taylor and Williamson added 130 runs for the third wicket before the latter was dismissed for a solid 60. Taylor, who was on 70 at the time, didn't let his partner's loss prove a dampener.

His chanceless innings paid rich dividends and he brought up his century, his ninth in ODIs, in the 43rd over. Taylor and captain Brendon McCullum then scored the 39 runs required in quick time and stole the match and series.

"It was nice to go out there and put that hard work to good use," Taylor said. "I've been known as a bottom-hand player and it was good to show this side of my game too.

"Kane's been brilliant, to get four fifties on the trot. Yeah, hopefully the baby can hold up for a while and I can finish the one-day series before the birth."

McCullum said that he was satisfied with his side's performance as the conditions in Hamilton suited India. "It was great Rosco got a match-winning hundred and we're very happy. Yep, we are going to enjoy this one and you don't blank the No.1 team too often and we will look to do that."