#2 Ross Taylor
Taylor scored a 110-ball-102 for New Zealand against South Africa in the second ODI at Christchurch to help the Kiwis set a daunting target of 289 for the visitors. He was ably aided by James Neesham, who smashed an unbeaten 57 off 71.
In reply, South Africa almost made it, eventually huffing and puffing to 283 and losing the match by six runs. They came close thanks to some sensational batting by Dwaine Pretorius whose 27-ball 50 lifted South Africa from 214 for 8 in the 42nd over to 275 for 9 in the 49th over.
Taylor, who picked up the Player of the Match award, also has his teammate Trent Boult to thank. Boult, who cleaned up Pretorius in the last ball of his bowling spell returned match figures of 3-63, also picking up the big wickets of AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock for 45 and 57, respectively, giving New Zealand the edge at crucial times.
Taylor’s knock was workmanlike with only eight fours as he added 104 for the third wicket with skipper Kane Williamson and then 123* with Neesham for the fifth wicket.
