Statistical Analysis: A look at how Ross Taylor's illlustrious Test career panned out

Ross Taylor, the mainstay of New Zealand’s middle-order, has finally hung up his boots in the longest format of the game after serving the Blackcaps for more than 14 years. A remarkable and memorable career comes to an end as Taylor decided to call it a day after playing 112 Tests for his country, equaling him with Daniel Vettori who also represented the Kiwis in as many Tests. He made his debut against South Africa at Johannesburg in November 2007 and was New Zealand’s prolific no.4 batter since then.

Nicknamed as ‘Rosco’, he batted in 196 innings scoring 7683 runs, which makes him the highest run-getter for the Kiwis with second behind him in the list is modern-day great Kane Williamson who has 7272 Test runs to his name. Taylor finished his long career with 19 centuries, which is the second-most by any New Zealand batter. Williamson tops the chart for notching up 24 tons for the WTC winners. The 37-year old batter scored 35 half-centuries, second-most for New Zealand compared to former skipper Stephen Fleming’s tally of 46 fifties.

Most runs for New Zealand in Tests:

Taylor’s average read as 44.66, which is the fourth-highest by any Kiwi who has batted for a minimum of 50 innings in Test matches. Known for his power-hitting and smashing sixes on his favourite leg-side region, the right-handed batter was also fabulous in hitting the boundaries as he mustered 932 fours in his Test career, which is the most by any NZ batter. The batting maestro chalked up 54 50 plus scores in Tests, which is the third-highest for New Zealand.

Ross Taylor has the highest score for NZ in away Tests

One of the highlights of Taylor’s career came in the year 2015 when he recorded his highest Test score, which is still the highest, of 290 runs off 374 deliveries in the first innings of the second Test against Australia at Perth. Already one down in the series, Rosco along with Kane Williamson (166) helped his team in achieving a draw in the Test as his mammoth innings which included 43 fours helped NZ post 624 runs on the board replying to Australia’s total of 559. His score is the highest by any Kiwi batter in away Test matches and also the third-highest overall. Brendon McCullum and Martin Crowe are in the top two for their scores of 302 and 299 against India and Sri Lanka respectively.

Highest scores by New Zealand in Tests:

Another cracking and outstanding innings of Ross Taylor which the world witnessed was his brutal 131* off 124 deliveries in the 2011 World Cup match against Pakistan at Pallekele where he clobbered Pakistan’s premier fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar all around the ground. He smashed sixes for fun as he cleared the ropes seven times taking NZ score from nowhere to 302 and helping the team clinch a victory by 110 runs.

In the 50-over format, the legendary batter holds the record for a third-highest score by a Kiwi for his innings of 181*which came in a successful run chase against England at Dunedin in 2018. His 181* is also the second-highest by a batter at no. four in ODIs with Vivian Richards on top for scoring 189* at the same position against England in 1984. Overall, it’s also the fifth-highest score by a batter while batting second in the ODIs.

Taylor holds the record for a batter who averaged over 30 in Tests in 23 seasons with Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara second who average the same in 21 seasons. In International cricket, Taylor is second behind another Lankan great Mahela Jayawardene as the former has notched up 15587 runs at no. four position with Jayawardene mustering 16838 runs.

Highest scores for New Zealand in an ODI inning:

Most runs for New Zealand in ODIs

A glorious career finishes for Taylor as the highest run-scorer for NZ in Tests (7683) and ODIs (8581), across formats (18173), and also for hitting most 50 plus scores (133) for his country in international cricket. He also had safe pair of hands as he has grabbed the most catches (139) for New Zealand in ODIs and 163 in Tests, which is the second-highest. Fittingly for Rosco, it was a fairytale ending as he snared only his third Test wicket when he came into bowl and dismissed Ebadot Hossian on the third day of the second Test against Bangladesh at Christchurch as the Kiwis won the Test and drew the series 1-1.

Most runs for New Zealand across formats: