Cricket: Ross Taylor looks comfortable during fitness test at Hagley Oval

Ross Taylor during a training session ahead of the 5th ODI. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

As the cricketing nation holds its collective breath, Ross Taylor strode onto Hagley Oval to test his fitness for the deciding one-day international between New Zealand and England.

Cameras, smartphones and even plain old sets of eyes were focused on him as he went through a series of drills with New Zealand team physiotherapist Tommy Simsek.

Taylor's left thigh looked heavily strapped.

He completed a lap of the park before embarking on shuttle runs. He then expanded his repertoire into darting sideways and - in a daring manoeuvre - backwards as though he was at the non-striker's end and the bowler was about to get a touch on a straight drive.

All exercises were completed with relative ease, and he appeared comfortable throughout.

Ross Taylor during a training session ahead of the 5th ODI,. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

The upshot is that a decision is expected to be left until tomorrow as to his involvement in the final match.

Taylor looked a tad sheepish with the mounting attention but that was a thimbleful compared to what he faced in his match-winning 181 not out in the fourth ODI at Dunedin.

Ross Taylor celebrates his century.Photo Andrew Cornaga / www.Photosport.co.nz

The session lasted about 15 minutes.

Coach Mike Hesson eventually emerged to join the discussion between player and physio.
The three strolled off together into the pavilion.