Taylor pays tribute to Crowe

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor was visibly emotional as he reflected on equalling the late Martin Crowe's number of Test hundreds on Monday.

Taylor completed his 17th Test ton on day three of the second Test with West Indies in Hamilton, an innings of 107 not out moving him level with his mentor Crowe and current Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson as the Black Caps' most prolific century-maker in the five-day format.

In a Sky Sports interview with former New Zealand wicketkeeper Ian Smith, Taylor made a moving reference to Crowe, who died last March at 53 after being diagnosed with terminal lymphoma.

"There was one moment out there. He [Crowe] always said 'when there's a butterfly, that's him'," explained Taylor, holding back tears.

"There was a butterfly out there when I was on about 70, so [it was] pretty good."

A flamboyant and often destructive batsman in the shorter forms, Taylor acknowledged he had never expected to enjoy such a productive Test career.

"At the start of my career, if you told me I'd get 17 Test hundreds, I would have said no chance," he stated.

"I always just saw myself as a white-ball player growing up."

Taylor's hundred helped New Zealand to 291-8 declared in their second innings, leaving the Windies a mammoth target of 444 for victory. At stumps on Monday, the tourists were in big trouble on 30-2.

Source:AFP