Cricket: Taylor after test scores to match T20 money

Photo / Christine Cornege

Ross Taylor has become an instant cricketing millionaire; now he's desperate for a return to the run-scoring that helped make him one.

Taylor on Saturday was snapped up by Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 franchise Rajasthan Royals for $1.3 million, making him the most sought-after New Zealander in the lucrative competition.

It was good reward for his exploits in cricket's shortest version during the past two years, but of more immediate concern to him and New Zealand cricket followers is his recent run of low scores at test level.

As New Zealand picks up the pieces from a 10-wicket annihilation by a new-look Pakistan inside three days in the first test at Seddon Park in Hamilton, the spotlight has gone on the once more underwhelming top six, and Taylor in particular.

Arguably New Zealand's best batsman is in the midst of a worrying test run drought, and a return to form is seen as key to home hopes of a series-levelling win in the second test at Wellington, which starts on Saturday.

Since his 138 against Australia in Hamilton last March, Taylor has had just one score over 30 in eight test innings - 56 against India at Ahmedabad last November. His average of 21.5 across that period is almost half his career average of 40.21.

Taylor doesn't have a magic cure but yesterday said he was working on the mental side of his game and was intent on playing as straight as possible as he searches for runs in Wellington.

"Confidence is a big thing," he said before a New Zealand training session at Seddon Park on what should have been the final day of the first test.

"I don't feel as though I'm out of form, there've been a couple of unfortunate ways that I've got out but I guess I've got to keep working hard and hopefully that's good enough.

The unfortunate methods of dismissal Taylor referred to were a top edge to a short, wide ball from spinner Abdur Rehman that he would normally put away in his sleep after a first innings contribution of six, and being run out for eight in the second dig. But the 26-year-old is making no excuses.

"That's cricket, your job is to score runs and batting at No 4 is a very crucial position," he said.

"The way I'm playing at the moment isn't good enough but as I said, I don't feel as though I'm out of nick, I just haven't been able to score the runs."

Though he is a senior batsman and vice-captain, Taylor said he didn't feel under added pressure to dig the team out of their hole.

"I feel like I'm under pressure every time I go out to bat.

"Am I setting a good example for the younger players? I haven't been scoring runs, so probably not. The best way to lead this team is to score runs."

Meanwhile, he rubbished suggestions players had been distracted by Saturday night's IPL auction, saying it was never an issue and they were completely focused.

Taylor was the big winner on the night and yesterday said the $1.3 million sum, and being compared to some of the world's best T20 players, was flattering.

"I've been disappointed with my test cricket but my form in T20 has been pretty good in the last 12 to 18 months.

"I've put in a lot of hard work and I guess it's nice to get some reward."

- NZPA