Where does Ross Taylor rank?

[Craig]

In terms of most naturally talented players to play for New Zealand in your time of watching or if possible off all NZ batsmen?

In my time I would say he is up near the top, if he isn't. Perhaps you can add Craig McMillan but he has never had the application to do well at Test level. Stephen Fleming when he is fine touch, but his has been mental in not converting 50's into 100's so he will go down as merely a 'good' player then a world class one he could have been. As for Nathan Astle I always considered him to be on the inconsistent side, not to take away his ability when he was in form.

[MoxPearl]

yep he really is up there... and there scary thing is hes like 21/22 ? :O

[Zinzan]

Its early days for him, but he certainly doesn't look out of place at international level.

[Perm]

Very talented, of that there can be no doubt. Not sure where he would rank though, right up there with Craig McMillan as the most talented batsman I have personally seen New Zealand produce.

Fleming and Astle, while two of the best batsman in New Zealand's history both had major technical faults and would often fall victim to them and I never got the impression that there were far more talented than any of the other batsman they played with, more successful but not more talented.

[social]

Obviously talented although I have some concerns after today - strange I know considering he got a hundred

He looked all at sea vs Tait's pace (not surprising when you consider he's never faced anyone of that pace before) and seemed to have little answer when tied down other than to hoik to leg.

On another day, (remembering that he edged in the air twice thru slips, french cut more than once and played and missed at plenty) it would've been an ugly failure.

However, a hundred is a hundred and there's no doubt that he's as well equipped as anyone since McMillan to be NZ's first world-class bat since Martin Crowe (sorry, but test averages in the 30s dont cut it IMO).

[Tomm NCCC]

Originally Posted by zinzan12

Its early days for him, but he certainly doesn't look out of place at international level.

Could clsoe the thread right there.

[Steulen]

Sad thing is, even if he is the new Ricky Ponting, playing for New Zealand will make it hard for him to achieve real success, i.e. lifting the right trophies.

[simmy]

He reminds me a lot of Ally Cook for England. Both have very prosperous careers ahead of them....

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Originally Posted by Steulen

Sad thing is, even if he is the new Ricky Ponting, playing for New Zealand will make it hard for him to achieve real success, i.e. lifting the right trophies.

A world class batsman is a good starting point for a world class team though. In Taylor, Fulton, Vettori, Fleming and McCullum, New Zealand have the core of a very good team. They need to sort the bowling (in particular) properly to build on that potential though.

[Armadillo]

Originally Posted by Mr Mxyzptlk

A world class batsman is a good starting point for a world class team though. In Taylor, Fulton, Vettori, Fleming and McCullum, New Zealand have the core of a very good team. They need to sort the bowling (in particular) properly to build on that potential though.

Don't forget Oram in ODIs

[Richard]

Taylor certainly could be as good if not even better than Roger Twose.

[social]

Originally Posted by Richard

Taylor certainly could be as good if not even better than Roger Twose.

For Kiwis sake, I hope that's a joke!

[Richard]

Err, no, Roger Twose is beyond question NZ's finest ODI batsman of the modern era.

Unfortunately, he only had a very short career. Taylor could well do every bit as well and play about 3 times the number of games.

[NZTailender]

Originally Posted by Armadillo

Don't forget Oram in ODIs

And what's wrong with Oram in tests, I ask you? Ditto Styris - Both averaged over 40 until the recent Sri lanka series IIRC.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by NZTailender

And what's wrong with Oram in tests, I ask you? Ditto Styris - Both averaged over 40 until the recent Sri lanka series IIRC.

Oram's bowling in tests isn't particularly useful.

Given though, his batting in ODIs with the exception of the CB series hasn't been particularly useful either.