Cricket: Ross Taylor back in the groove

New Zealand's Ross Taylor, left, walks off the ground at the end of play not out on 235 runs against Australia during their cricket test match in Perth. Photo / AP.

Ross Taylor had two options going into the second test against Australia - graft hard or try and be himself.

He chose the latter and the result was a splendid career high score, which sat at 235 not out when the fourth day's play began at the Waca with New Zealand at 510 for six, 49 behind Australia.

Taylor battled in Brisbane in the first test, with a duck and 26.

He'd had little preparatory time, courtesy of a nasty injury in the nets on the Zimbabwe tour four months ago.

''After the way I batted in Brisbane I was pretty rusty and all over the show," Taylor said today.

''I trained the house down leading into that game, and obviously the results didn't show.

''I came into this game not putting too much expectation on myself, had a net for half an hour and it was nice not to think about it too much. It was nice to go out and express myself."

Taylor's double ton was the first by an overseas player at the Waca, the highest score by a New Zealander against Australia - eclipsing the mark of his mentor Martin Crowe, 188 at Brisbane in 1985 - and his 13th test ton, second only to Crowe's 17.

''(Brisbane) played a little bit on my mind. You start questioning yourself and little doubts creep in so it was nice to get rid of those."

Taylor admitted the six weeks not doing anything after the injury didn't help, he was underdone in Brisbane ''but that's still no excuse".

His mindset was positive, which played a key part.

''I thought I just needed to get back in the groove. I felt rusty up there (Brisbane) and my feet weren't really moving.

''Sometimes you can either try and graft it out or play some shots.

''I thought the best way was to go out and play my shots. That's probably what comes more natural to me, and it's surprising when you hit a couple out of the middle, your feet start moving and the confidence gets up."

Taylor and Kane Williamson shared a New Zealand record 265-run stand for the third wicket, Williamson stroking 166, his second century of the series.

''Any time you bat with Kane he does take pressure off you.

''He came out and batted outstandingly well. Any time you get a 200 partnership with anyone it's going to be satisfying. It just showed the class he's got."