Taylor hints at return for England series

Ross Taylor has indicated that he could be available for New Zealand's home series against England next month, his first comments on returning to the game since being stripped of the captaincy.

"All the best to the @BLACKCAPS for the second Test [against South Africa in Port Elizabeth]. Looking forward to working my way back for the home series against England," Taylor said on Twitter. "Back into training and it's going well. Can't wait to get out on the park with @CDStags on 24 January."

Central Districts, Taylor's domestic side, play a Plunket Shield match against Canterbury on January 24, two weeks before the first T20 international between New Zealand and England.

Taylor was removed from the New Zealand captaincy in all formats in December and replaced by Brendon McCullum, who had the backing of New Zealand coach, Mike Hesson. Taylor decided to take time off from the game because of the manner in which he was ousted, which led New Zealand Cricket to issue an apology for the breakdown in communication within the management.

Taylor has not played any matches - international or domestic - since New Zealand's tour of Sri Lanka, where they drew the Test series 1-1 in November. New Zealand are presently touring South Africa without Taylor. They lost the T20 series 2-1 and are trailing 1-0 in the Tests.