New Zealand middle-order batsman Ross Taylor feels that his county cricket experience has prepared him well for the upcoming England series starting from June 2. The Series will kick off at Lord’s.
Taylor has been playing for English counties since 2010. The teams he has played for include Durham (2010), Sussex (2016-17), Nottinghamshire (2018), Middlesex (2019). It is during his Nottinghamshire stint, he got a chance to play along with England’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, Stuart Broad. Broad plays for Nottinghamshire from the year 2008 till date.
Taylor thinks that playing County cricket has given him an edge for his next assignment, two-match Test series against hosts England. Broad and Taylor had played for Nottinghamshire in 2018. Having asked how has he prepared for Broad, Taylor said –
“I was fortunate to play with him at Nottinghamshire and saw the way he went about things and heard him talking to bowlers, and I asked him questions. I wish I had that knowledge up my sleeve before a few more of those series. He has got me out a few times, as most bowlers have, but he’s a very good bowler along with Jimmy Anderson and the rest of them, with the Duke (balls used in England) in hand they’re world-class.”
How has the bio-bubble thing been, Taylor answered –
“It’s been a little bit different to previous tours, and not being able to stop at the service stations has been a shock to the system. We’ve been very well looked after at our hotels and the team room is getting a good hammering. New Zealand companies have sent us a lot of things to help us feel comfortable, and make it feel like home.”
Taylor in 105 Tests for New Zealand has amassed 7380 runs at an average of a little over 45. He is the leading run-scorer for New Zealand in Test and ODI cricket (8576).
Taylor explained whether players have experience with English conditions or not, there is no excuse and that they should do well.
“From my first tour in 2008, we must have played four or five warmup games. But times have changed, whether it’s England or series in Australia and India you don’t get much preparation and lead-in with so much cricket on. And with IPL and being in a bubble and not being able to play county teams.”
“A lot of experience has to come into it for the guys who have played here before, but the guys who haven’t been asking that question. There’s going to be a feeling period without having a proper game but that’s no excuse, whatever we do first on Wednesday we’ll have to do well.”
Ross Taylor has been named in the squad for England tours and looks almost certain to be in playing eleven. New Zealand and England will lock horns in the first Test at Lord’s from June 2-6. The second clash will be played at Edgbaston from June 10-14. Then NZ will face India in the WTC final from June 18-22 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton.
