Yes, but Taylor has been around for a lot longer than Hay in the Blackcaps set up, and been around longer at FC level. I'm not sure we would have seen that good innings from Taylor in this test if he had made his Blackcaps debut at Lords, given how much he seems to have been learning since he started.
But the way he played at Lord's it wouldn't have been hard to believe that it was his first Test.
Believe it or not, the stupidity of the comments that have come from some parts of the press in the UK haven't actually impacted upon the series.
If Flintoff were to play against SA, it could make a difference, remember.
I think Vettori alluded to some of them in a press conference at one point...I wouldn't have any trouble believing that a few of the comments have fired the team up.
Lol, don't disagree. Glad he turned it around though
Could do, but equally he could flop, he's done sweet FA since his return from injury
Yeah fair point. Showed a lot of maturity.
Hmm, I refuse to believe Taylor and Vettori's performances in this game (the crucial ones so far) wouldn't have happened had people been lauding praise on them before the series TBH.
But still knew that NZ would put up a fight and they would have eggs on their faces
Hmm, so averaging 11 or whatever he's averaging with the ball this season is SFA? ITSTL.
If he can bowl 20+ overs a day in a test match as a bowler then I'd be impressed.. Hows his batting?
Haha, my mistake, I thought Flynn had a pretty average State Championship, but he was on fire. Regardless, he's been very poor for the rest of his domesic career, so it was a little bit of a knee-jerk reaction picking him, especially without any experience at New Zealand A level.
Aye, me too, but as recent events show, underestimate people at your peril.
Crap, and that probably means SA will somehow manage to bowl him into form.
Didn't South Africa get a kicking from "lowly" West Indies at home quite recently?
Yeah, but they came back and won the next 2, something we won't be able to do if we lose this.
Nah, good as O'Brien (surprisingly) was these last couple of sessions, Steyn in recent times was far better than that. IF (and it certainly is an if) he can continue that form this summer he should tear through us regularly, and of course Kallis would've been more than capable of that Taylor innings. And South Africa won't need a spinner of Vettori's calibre as I doubt we'll see a pitch like this again this summer.
