He took a blow to the bread basket from a wicked Ish Sodhi legspin delivery while batting in the nets in Harare before the third test against Zimbabwe.
Jokes aside from fellow Black Caps rolling with laughter in the nets that day, Taylor had surgery there before returning to recuperate at his home in Hamilton with wife Victoria and their two children.
"I think time on legs on the field would be good," he says. "Spending a couple of hundred overs on the field to get that cricket fitness back again after five weeks of absolutely nothing will be good for what will be a tough series in Australia."
He had harboured similar fears during the third test against South Africa in Wellington in March 2012, when he broke his arm facing a Morne Morkel delivery but, with hindsight, he feels he needn't have worried. Taylor, who has equalled Nathan Astle's record of 27 test and ODI tons since his unbeaten 112 against Zimbabwe on August 2, is simply happy to have played for CD again.
"I never played for CD last summer so I always enjoy coming back here," he said.
"It's my first first-class match at Nelson Park, although I've played a few age-group games here but never a first-class one."
No doubt the bloke who captained the Black Caps to their first test victory on Australian soil in 26 years in 2011 is under no illusions of the enormity of the task during this upcoming tour.
Fellow Stags seamer Doug Bracewell starred with the ball then in Hobart, claiming 9-60 in only his third test which, led to international accolades that summer.
"Anytime you're playing against Australia it's going to be tough because of the challenges ahead," says Taylor.
Former Aussie greats draw parallels with the success of the Jeremy Coney-captained Kiwis who, in 1985, upset them with Sir Richard Hadlee spearheading the attack.
But the man who shoulders the role of amassing runs for New Zealand with Kane Williamson treads cautiously.
"They are a lot more experienced side than when we travelled over there the last time."
Taylor is mindful of putting labels on the opposition as "the new-look Australian" side but emphasises all touring teams always have to hang tough on their turf.
"We are looking forward to a couple of weeks of preparation there so, hopefully, we'll be ready for the first test," he says of the opener at the Gabba in Brisbane from November 5, before the second one at the Waca, Perth, from November 13.
The Aussies have lost Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and Chris Rogers, with Steve Smith assuming the mantle of captaincy from Clarke.
However, Taylor points out any team that boasts a bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazelwood and Peter Siddle are always going to be formidable.
"They will be looking forward to bowling on their bouncy wickets, more so than the wickets they probably faced in England," he says, looking forward to an exciting six weeks across the Tasman.
Australia only three months ago lost The Ashes in a 3-2 series loss, including three heavy defeats there.
