Having laid the perfect foundation for a big score, New Zealand is now looking for a first innings total of 500-550 against India in the second cricket Test, centurion Kiwi batsman Ross Taylor said here today.
Having laid the perfect foundation for a big score, New Zealand is now looking for a first innings total of 500-550 against India in the second cricket Test, centurion Kiwi batsman Ross Taylor said here today.
Taylor (151) and Jesse Ryder (137 not out) scripted New Zealand's stunning comeback that enabled the hosts, tottering at 23 for three inside 11 overs, finish day one on a strong 351 for four.
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Taylor said the team was now looking for another 200-odd runs to put pressure on the Indians who lead the three-match series 1-0. "You don't often get days of 350 on the first day.
"It is something for the team to be proud of. But we know that it is only half the job done. We probably need around about 500-550 to be competitive," Taylor said.
The right-hander said the track was good to bat on and he also sounded wary of India's star-studded batting line-up. "We know that it is a good wicket and that the Indian line-up is a very good side. So hopefully we can see off what the new ball has got to offer in the morning and then build on in the second and third sessions," Taylor added.
Taylor was confident that New Zealand could pile up those runs. "We knew it was a pretty good wicket once the new ball lost its shine. We knew if we played straight we could score runs as it is pretty fast-scoring ground," he said.
Personally, it was a bitter-sweet feeling for Taylor who is happy to score the runs when his team needed it most and sad as well after perishing to a reckless shot.
"I am fairly happy with the day's work, bit disappointed too as I had a good partnership going and probably played a reckless shot to get out," he said.
"At the same time, to get the team to where they are after being three for 20-odd, it is a pretty good effort," said Taylor. Taylor's fluffed slog-sweep off Harbhajan Singh saw him perish in the deep with Yuvraj Singh taking a well-judged catch. Heaping praise on Ryder, Taylor said,
"I felt okay out there and Jesse was a big help throughout that whole innings. He was motivating me a lot. We got to give a lot of credit to Jesse.
"I haven't scored any significant runs for a while now and I was probably a little bit more nervous than I have been in the past. I am probably a nervous starter normally but today I was a little bit more nervous.
"I was happy with the let-off. As it worked out, I made them pay today," said the 25-year-old. Taylor felt that India were a lot quieter on the field today.
"They were pretty happy at 23 for three. I guess once you do get a partnership of over a hundred, no matter what team you play against, you always go a little bit quiet in the field.
"India went a little bit quiet but in saying that, they came back well after breaks and kept themselves going."
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