Desperate instant millionaire Taylor now seeking Test runs

WELLINGTON - Key New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has become an instant cricketing millionaire, and now is desperate to score more runs to justify his billing as one of the best batters in the sport.

Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 franchise Rajasthan Royals snapped up Taylor for 1.3 million New Zealand dollars, making him the most sought-after New Zealander in the lucrative competition.

It was good reward for his exploits in cricket’s shortest version during the past two years, stuff.co.nz reports.

But was is of more immediate concern to him and New Zealand cricket followers is his recent run of low Test scores.

Arguably New Zealand’s best batsman is in the midst of a worrying run drought at the Test level, and a return to form is seen as key to home hopes of a series-levelling win in the second Test at Wellington, which starts on Saturday.

Since his 138 against Australia here last March, Taylor has had just one score of more than 30 in eight test innings, 56 against India at Ahmedabad last November. His average of 21.5 across that period is almost half his career average of 40.21.

Taylor does not have a magic cure, but said he was working on the mental side of his game and was intent on playing as straight as possible as he searches for runs in Wellington.

“Confidence is a big thing. I don’t feel as though I’m out of form, there have been a couple of unfortunate ways that I’ve got out but I guess I’ve got to keep working hard and hopefully that’s good enough,” Taylor was quoted, as saying.

He added: “The way I’m playing at the moment is not good enough but as I said I don’t feel as though I’m out of nick, I just haven’t been able to score the runs.”

Though he is a senior batsman and vice-captain, Taylor said he did not feel under added pressure to dig the team out if their hole.

“I feel like I’m under pressure every time I go out to bat,” he said. (ANI)