What if Stags coach Alan Hunt says: "Sorry Ross, we don't have a place for you this time, mate."
Grinning from ear to ear, Taylor replies: "I'd respect his decision and then ask Jamie."
Jokes aside, it pleases the talented CD batsman that he's been "running at 100 per cent in training".
"It felt pretty good but you can still feel it a little bit so I'm pretty happy to be running at a 100 per cent," the New Zealand captain said after team physiotherapist Paul Close put him and Jesse Ryder through his hoops at Nelson Park, Napier, during Black Caps' training sessions this week.
Close, Taylor says, went through routines of his mindset to instil confidence.
"When you get injured a little bit you can lose a bit of confidence but, no, I'm pretty happy with where I'm at, at the moment.
"It'll be my first hit for a couple of weeks after being injured but the Napier wicket's always pretty good so, hopefully, I can get a good bat going into that first test."
While the Northern Districts Knights are on the top of the shield table, CD can apply pressure but if they can keep winning.
He talked up the Auckland Aces as worthy opponents, mindful veteran Black Caps seamer Chris Martin will be out to boost his confidence before the first test against the Proteas.
"Hopefully I can score some runs and Chris can bowl some good overs but not too good going into the test match."
While he would prefer to have been out there in the thick of the action against South Africa in the Twenty/20 and ODI series, Taylor has sponged from the sidelines or the comfort of the lounge chair.
"Watching from the sidelines always gives you a different perspective on a lot of things so I think I've learned a lot and hopefully I can implement that when I come back."
The tourists were a world-class side who demanded respect.
"Having said that we've got some experience here and there's some budding talent coming through.
"We've got ourselves into good positions but we haven't been able to capitalise," Taylor says, believing the Black Caps will take their chances to win a match as the hosts have lost the three-match ODI series 2-0. Ditto the T20 one, 2-1.
For the Stag, test matches remain the ultimate measure of a cricketing man.
"That's how it is for a lot of us. The way we're judged and the way we judge ourselves is in test cricket.
"We've got our own intentions to get up the test rankings. We want to get to first [place] so we want to get off eighth spot."
With the Proteas here to stake a claim of world No1 ranking and all the frills that go with it, Taylor realises the visitors aren't lacking motivation.
"Obviously beating the second-ranked team in the world will give us more points so that's our motivation," he says, buoyed by having the advantage of home knowledge and conditions.
Taylor doesn't think Ryder has been rushed back too early after also picking up a calf injury although the former Napier Boys' High School pupil looks trimmer and fitter than when he left the squad.
"We have a pretty settled line-up in the test arena but if Jesse's around then he'll certainly be in consideration," Taylor says of the batsman who scored an inglorious two-ball duck last night in the ODI.
The word is South African exchange umpire Allahidien Palekar will preside in tomorrow's shield match at McLean Park after officiating in the ND v Canterbury Wizards game last weekend.
While coach Hunt was still to decide on his line-up after last night's training, manager Lance Hamilton confirmed William Young was out and Taranaki paceman Bevan Small was returning from a side strain.
"We're not sure whether Tarun [Nethula] is staying or going to Auckland after the one-dayer," Hamilton said.
Rain may have the last say.
