Ross Taylor: Ability to deal with failures is hallmark of good Test player

Negative experiences can shape a person's character making him more resilient, says New Zealand batsmen Ross Taylor ahead of his record-breaking 100th Test. Taylor is only two days away from becoming first cricketer to play 100 games across formats.  Less than three weeks away from his 36th birthday, local lad will complete a coveted 100 Tests with first Test against India having already played 231 ODIs and 100 T20 Internationals.

"Ability to deal with failures..."

On eve of his milestone, does Taylor look back at those early days? 

"Yeah, I think so. That shapes you as a person and as a player," he agrees instantly.

"Sometimes it's t necessarily runs you get and good times. It's how you deal with failures along way that shape you as a person, as way you go about your training, as a teammate. 

"Sometimes it's negative things that make you harder and stronger and more resilient, and that's what you need to be a Test player, said Taylor.

Had Christchurch Test against Bangladesh t been cancelled due to terror attack at mosque, Taylor would have played his 100th Test in Sydney against Australia. It eventually became his 99th and he can't be happier to play big game in front of friends and family. "David White (NZC CEO) comes in and gives us a talk about what games are coming up and you start doing math and he actually says Ross, it's going to be your 100th Test in Sydney. But obviously what happened in Christchurch last year with shootings at mosque had moved things back a game. "But n, things happen for a reason, I believe, and it's nice for it to happen back home. I don't kw how many people would have travelled to Sydney for it. So it's nice for it to be here."

He got messs from former teammates Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum. 

"I just got a call from Brendon before we got here saying all best. He said do better than what I did, I don't kw what he got in his 100th game. I asked if re was any tip on how to deal with tickets and things like that," he laughed.

"I got a mess from Vettori as well last night. Obviously, it is a special club to join and it's nice to hear from fellow players who have been re and done that."

So does he have eugh tickets at his disposal?  "I don't kw if I have eugh tickets for m all, re are all coming out of woodwork! All old coaches and things like that. It's a nice time to celebrate m and what y have done for my career. I think my celebrating comes after Test match. This is just to thank m for all sacrifices y have made," he said.               w in twilight of his career, thought of retirement did cross his mind once but that was long back when he had set 2019 ODI World Cup as a deadline. But n he thought he still had something left in his tank and hasn't till date disappointed his fans.

"I always said to myself, 2019 World Cup wasn't a bad place to start thinking about that R' word. But I still I am good eugh and have a lot more to offer this team both on and off field. 

"I am still as hungry as ever to score runs. After my first series, I wouldn't have been putting much money on myself to be playing 100 Tests, that's for sure. I am happy with what has happened," he added. 

Im credits: AP