Injured captain Ross Taylor admits he has been frustrated sitting in the stands during the first two ODIs against the West Indies, but believes his team mates will pose a far bigger threat in the third match in St Kitts.
The dynamic right-handed batsman is recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in the first Twenty20 in Florida. His absence from the side has seen 21-year-old Kane Williamson become the youngest captain in New Zealand history and Taylor has liked what he seen.
“I’ve thought he’s been great. He’s only young and to come out here and captain guys who are older than him is always a little intimidating, but the players respect him,” Taylor said.
“He’s got a good cricket brain and the way he batted in the last game showed what a mature player he is.
“Hopefully for his own confidence he can continue that form with the bat and everyone else can rally around him and give him that first win.”
And despite the two losses to date Taylor is confident that the BLACKCAPS can turn around their start to the series.
Since arriving in St Kitts the team has been thinking positively about the next match and Taylor believes the change in setting has helped build confidence around the camp.
“The vibe has been totally different to Jamaica so hopefully that can turn into a good performance here tomorrow,” the 28 year-old said.
“It’s a lot more relaxed place. Players have been able to get out of their room a little bit more and when you’re on long tours and you get stuck in your room you get cabin fever, so hopefully that can re-energise the batteries and the mind.
“We need to be as positive as possible and know that our performance in every game so far has been slightly better, so hopefully we play better and have a little bit of luck go our way and I’m sure we will change the ledger a little bit.”
A win tomorrow certainly would go a long way to turning around the sides fortunes.
It is uncertain whether Brendon McCullum will be a part of the team which attempts to do so.
McCullum hopped off the plane after his trip from Christchurch to the West Indies with a spring in his step, but a decision will be made by coach John Wright as to whether the star player will take part in the third ODI.
As for Taylor himself he says his recovery is running ahead of schedule and is hoping to make a return a little earlier than first anticipated.
“If I can keep improving like I have every day then I’m every chance of playing, hopefully before first expected when I found out about the injury,” Taylor said.
It’s nice to here of the positivity around the BLACKCAPS camp. By tomorrow let’s hope there’s a whole lot more.
