PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC-Red Steel international franchise player, Ross Taylor of New Zealand, says he plans to showcase his powerful hitting for the home fans when they come up against the Jamaica Tallawahs at the Queen’s Park Oval today. The 29-year-old has a T20 average of 30.08 with a highest score of 111 not out but has yet to put his reputation on show in the Caribbean. Known worldwide for his fireworks with the bat, Taylor has been out lbw for 2 and 11 against the Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents.
“It’s disappointing (to be out lbw twice). “It (the ball) didn’t bounce much in the first innings and it was a questionable decision in the last one but that’s the way cricket goes. You try not to let it get you down too much,” said Taylor.
“When you come in a new team, you want to perform and perform straight away. Wednesday is another day and hopefully I can show what I am here for.” Both coach and captain of Red Steel Gordon Greenidge and Dwayne Bravo have expressed disappointment with the two losses already incurred in the preliminary round. Taylor has acknowledged that the Red Steel have a high benchmark to live up to following the overwhelming success of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in T20. “We know we need to win to stay in this competition and we’ll be looking for the home fans to continue cheering for us to get that victory,” he said. “The home advantage has been a big plus for Guyana and Barbados and hopefully it can be the same for us”. Red steel play Jamaica Tallawahs today, Guyana Amazon Warriors on Friday and Antigua Hawkbills on Sunday at the Queen’s Park Oval.
