Cricket: Skipper boldly chases win

New Zealand captain Ross Taylor scored 76 in both innings of the test against Zimbabwe which finished in Bulawayo overnight. File photo / Christine Cornege.

There's a touch of the radical about Ross Taylor and it's to be applauded, regardless of the result in Zimbabwe overnight. The New Zealand captain's bold decision to declare his side's second innings closed at 252 for eight, setting Zimbabwe a chase of 366 on a flat wicket, is a signal winning is paramount to him.

The much-vaunted cracks in the pitch did not open up as much as New Zealand would have liked under a sometimes cloudy Bulawayo sky and last night at lunch, Zimbabwe were 169 for three and batting confidently.

The Zimbabwean batsmen have taken advantage of a relatively weak New Zealand attack at times and would have gone into the final day 61 for one, had it not been for a spectacular one-handed gully catch from debutant Dean Brownlie to end day four.

Despite the lack of penetration, Taylor is demonstrating at an early stage that he believes in his players. His declaration asked his team-mates to back themselves so that the 366-run chase did not succeed.

This morning we'll know whether his ploy paid dividends. If so, it may usher in a new spirit for a side that has been sixth or worse in the world test rankings since May 2006.

Last night, the concept of empowering the bowlers was looking grim and Taylor must be willing the returns of Tim Southee, Kyle Mills or Hamish Bennett.

Zimbabwean captain Brendan Taylor hammered Chris Martin, including overs of 14 and 10 runs apiece, as well as pasting three sixes off Jeetan Patel. He had moved through to 73 off 79 balls.

Tino Mawoyo was the most recent batsman dismissed, out for 52 after a third wicket partnership of 96 with Taylor.

Yet history was on Taylor's side in Bulawayo. The highest fourth innings match-winning total in 19 tests at the Queen's Sports Club was 184 for two, made by India in 2001.

The highest fourth innings total in a draw was 275 for eight by New Zealand in 1997.

Taylor was succinct in summarising his call: "Batting time without intent would have been a waste. We've come here to win and we need to be bold."

He did show a touch of compassion looking ahead to the summer.

"I ummed and aahed about calling the innings off once we had a lead of 340-350. I would have done it earlier but Doug [Bracewell] was sitting on a pair. It was important for him to at least score one run before we go to Australia."

Taylor's decision contrasted with his predecessor Daniel Vettori, who tended to err on the side of conservatism. There were exceptions - Vettori setting England 299 to win at Hamilton in 2008 after declaring at 177-9 set up one of the best recent home wins.

Vettori was asked to secure a win overnight after his 20th five-wicket bag in the first innings took him to 350 test wickets. The ball has not turned a lot for him but he looks rejuvenated. His move back into the rank and file could well prove a masterstroke; keeping him enthused in the longest form of the game.

At the other end of the age scale, 21-year-old Kane Williamson remains a core reason why it's worth boiling the kettle and melting some cheese on toast to get ready for an early shift in front of the telly. It is reassuring to watch a technique that doesn't leave you wanting to hide behind the sofa, peeping out to check for New Zealand scoreboard damage. His forward defence is immaculate and his back foot work is a pleasure to watch, especially the patience shown milking ones and twos through the covers.

Taylor commended Williamson on his efforts as part of their 119-run fourth wicket partnership after the departure of nightwatchman Jeetan Patel left the New Zealanders flailing on 36 for three. Williamson scored 68, backing up from 49 in the first innings, while Taylor made back-to-back 76s.

"Kane's not a world-class player yet but he's well on the way," Taylor said. "He looked untroubled again and was disappointed not to go on. The odd ball did something but we rotated the strike well. We play spin differently - he plays more off the back foot; I play off the front foot."