Taylor torments West Indies with Dunedin double ton

Hosts declare at 609 in first-innings of opening Test.

DUNEDIN: Former captain Ross Taylor scored a maiden double century to put New Zealand in firm command of the first Test against the West Indies on Wednesday. Taylor later termed the knock the best way he could find to ‘fight off those demons’.

Taylor was unbeaten on 217 when New Zealand declared at 609 for nine in the final session at University Oval in Dunedin and at stumps the West Indies were 67 for two in reply.

He put away the slog-sweep that has often been his undoing, batting with confidence to surpass his previous highest score – 154 not out against England at Manchester five years ago – and lifting his Test average to 45.36.

“It was nice to fight off those demons,” said Taylor, as he rated the innings one of the best he has produced.

“Mentally, it was my best innings with the way I structured it in my head. The way I started and the frame of mind I was in, I was happy to be able to bat as long as I did. I was supported by a lot of batters and it was nice to get to 200.”

Taylor produced 23 boundaries in his marathon innings, his innings also featured a New Zealand record 195-run fourth wicket stand against the West Indies with new captain Brendon McCullum who scored 113 runs studded with three sixes and 14 fours.

For the tourists Tino Best claimed three wickets. In reply, the West Indies had lost openers Kirk Edwards and Kieran Powell by the end of second day’s play.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2013.

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