Putting Taylor's ton into perspective

Ross Taylor with his trademark century celebration. Photo: Getty Images
Ross Taylor with his trademark century celebration. Photo: Getty Images
The University Oval was the place to be on Wednesday when Black Caps batsman Ross Taylor played a gem of an innings. But was it the best knock by a New Zealander in a one-day-international? The problem with ODIs is that there are so many  of them. Games, series and years just blend into one. But occasionally there are innings which leave a mark, a memory. Sports reporter Steve Hepburn looks at some great knocks by New Zealand batsmen in matches that really mattered.

Glenn Turner

1975: 171no against East Africa

It was all sort of new at the first World Cup in England in 1975. East Africa was made up of a few rank amateurs from the likes of Uganda and Kenya. Derek Pringle's dad was in the team. Turner guided New Zealand past the 300 mark in 60 overs and the New Zealanders got off to a great start in the tournament.

Bruce Edgar

1981: 102no against Australia

This innings gets forgotten in the game in which the underarm incident occurred. Edgar was a rock right through in what was a very hot day in Melbourne. Was composed enough to give the two-finger salute to Chappell when the Australian did his dastardly deed.

Martin Crowe

1983: 66 against Australia

This was a hastily arranged match in Sydney to aid bushfire victims. Crowe was just 20 and was green but he managed to knock up 66 which was nearly half the side's total. Was the first of many great knocks for his country. And it was good enough to beat the Aussies that night.

Crowe

1992: 100no against Australia

A key game in the World Cup between the two host teams. Crowe timed his run to perfection and guided his side to a great victory.

Chris Harris

1996: 130no against Australia

In a World Cup quarterfinal against Australia, Harris came to the wicket with his side at 44 for three. He hit 76 runs in boundaries and guided New Zealand to 286 for nine wickets. But his side still lost.

Chris Cairns

2000: 110no against India

Still the only silverware New Zealand has won in an ICC tournament. Cairns scored a ton in the knockout cup final after batting at No5 and New Zealand got home with two balls to spare.

Stephen Fleming

2003: 134no against South Africa

Fleming had plenty of critics but he silenced them with this knock which knocked the host out of the World Cup.

Craig McMillan

2007: 117 against Australia.

McMillan walked to the wicket with his side 41 for four. He hit 117 at better than a run a ball to help set up victory and a clean sweep in the Chappell-Hadlee series.

Brendon McCullum

2015: 77 against England

The English had flopped with the bat in the World Cup game in Wellington. McCullum came out and went mad. The 50-run opening partnership came up in the fourth over, the 100-run partnership in the seventh over. McCullum hit 94% of his runs in boundaries.

Grant Elliott

2015: 84no against South Africa

The stage does not get much bigger than a World Cup semifinal. Cometh the hour, cometh the man - Elliott on fire.

Ross Taylor

2018: 181no against England

Enough said. Simply superb.


 

Comments

Some good knocks there. Ross Taylor's still tops the list though with Elliots 84 v South Africa a close 2nd.

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