An emotional Ross Taylor paid tribute to his mentor the late Martin Crowe following a superb century which put New Zealand in sight of a series sweep against the West Indies in Hamilton yesterday
An emotional Ross Taylor paid tribute to his mentor the late Martin Crowe following a superb century which put New Zealand in sight of a series sweep against the West Indies in Hamilton yesterday. Taylor equalled the New Zealand record of 17 Test centuries, held by Crowe and Kane Williamson, and was unbeaten on 107 when New Zealand declared their second innings at 291 for eight in the second Test. The West Indies, set a daunting 444-run target, were two for 30 after eight overs at stumps and staring at a second loss after their innings defeat in the first Test.
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NZ's Taylor after reaching his ton on Day 3 of the second Test v WI yesterday. Pic/AFP
A teary-eyed Taylor attributed his success to Crowe, the former New Zealand captain who died last year from lymphoma at the age of 53. "We had some good nights with Hogan (Crowe) over some red wine talking about my batting, and lot of it probably not positive. It came from a good place and I guess that's why I'm here today," he said. Taylor, 33, whose first century was also at Seddon Park when he made 120 against England in 2008, said before the Test that Crowe wanted him to break his record. "Seventeen is the benchmark that Hogan wanted me to get and beat."
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