Cricket: KFC reward Ross Taylor for game-winning ton with 181 chicken dollars

Ross Taylor scored 181 not-out against England on Wednesday. Photo / Getty Images.

After scoring 181 not out to lead the Black Caps to an unlikely win in their fourth ODI against England on Wednesday, Ross Taylor earned a spot on the list of great innings by Kiwi batsmen.

He also earned chicken. A whole lot of chicken.

After being the driving force that saw the Kiwi side level the series at 2-2, KFC offered the batsman $181 in vouchers to help him refuel and celebrate his birthday.

Taylor turned 34 on Thursday.

The KFC New Zealand twitter account reached out to the match-winner, saying: "The Colonel wants to celebrate that PB with you the best way he knows how... with $181 of Chicken Dollars."

Happy birthday @RossLTaylor! The Colonel wants to celebrate that PB with you the best way he knows how... with $181 of Chicken Dollars 🍗💸 send us a DM so we can get the vouchers to you!

— KFC New Zealand (@kfcnz) March 7, 2018

Followers were quick to react to KFC's offer, with some rather cheeky suggestions...

hi it's me Ross Taylor drop me a DM

— Naly_D (@Naly_D) March 7, 2018

I got 54 in Brian Lara Cricket once, does that get me anything?

— Sean Opie (@kiwisean1) March 8, 2018

Maybe @penfolds will match this with 181 bottle of The Grange...?

— Mike Ward (@mikeward73) March 8, 2018

The gesture added to the birthday present Taylor had waiting for himself after Wednesday's match - a nice bottle of red wine.

However, he admitted he might not have been indulging after his sensational performance on in Dunedin.

"I had a nice bottle of wine in my suitcase which I was going to open. Damn it, I don't think I can have it if I want to play on Saturday."

Taylor - battling injury and the early loss of both opening batsmen - eclipsed his career-best 131 not out in a record 336 run chase to lead the Black Caps to a five wicket-win.

The deciding ODI takes place at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday.