InMobi

Taylor unfazed by absence of handshake

New Zealand batsman and Adam Voges bat away criticism of Australia's players

Record-breaking New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has revealed that he felt not the least slighted by the absence of Australian players shaking his hand after he completed his career-high 290 in Perth on Monday, dismissing the events as "coincidence".

"When I get out I just walk off the ground as quick as I can," Taylor said when asked if he felt aggrieved that no members of the rival team came to offer their congratulations as he returned to the NZ dressing room.

"I don’t want to stay out there any longer than I have to."

Watch: Ross Taylor's dismissal ends New Zelaand's innings

Taylor was also referring to the fact that he left the ground upon being dismissed for the highest Test score by a visiting Test batsman in Australia at the same time as the home team was on the opposite side of the field congratulating the fielder who took the catch to end the NZ innings.

"I got out on the far side of the boundary and they were all congratulating him (fielder) and I was walking off as fast I could," Taylor said.

"I’m sure it was a coincidence more than anything."

Watch: Runs continue to flow on day four in Perth

That fielder was 27-year-old Jon Wells who was on the field as a substitute for injured batsman Usman Khawaja, and the ensuing congratulations from his 'teammates' meant Taylor left the field well ahead of the bowling side.

Except for Australia openers David Warner and Joe Burns who sprinted for the dressing room having learned they had to face an over from the Black Caps bowlers prior to the lunch interval.

Clarification from the on-field umpires on whether sufficient time existed for that single over to be bowled was also cited as a reason the Australia players lingered on the field while Taylor and his batting partner Trent Boult left the arena to a standing ovation. 

The apparent snub of Taylor’s outstanding innings, in contrast to the NZ players who have made a point of shaking hands with Australian century makers at the end of their innings, led to former Australia and Victoria fast bowler Dirk Nannes taking aim at Steve Smith’s team on ABC Radio.

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Taylor congratulates David Warner on day one at the WACA // Getty

"Not one person from the Australian camp went and shook his hand," Nannes said in his role as an expert commentator for the ABC.

"It's not that hard.

"You don't have a guy bat for a day-and-a-half out there and not even acknowledge it. 

“That's just horrendous sportsmanship.”

Australia batsman Adam Voges said he felt his team had duly acknowledged Taylor’s innings, which was also applauded by the Australian coaching and support staff members who assembled outside their viewing room as the NZ pair left the field.

Voges, who himself completed a century late on the penultimate day of the second Test, described Taylor’s knock – the highest by an NZ batsman against Australia – as "amazing".

"I think, to a man, we all clapped Ross for every milestone that he made (during his 374-ball stay),” Voges said.

"We all clapped. It was an amazing innings.

"And I shook his hand at the end of play today.

"I think the game has been played in wonderful spirit so far."

Damien Fleming is joined by former left-arm tearaway Dirk Nannes to talk all things day four at the WACA, including Ross Taylor's epic and hometown hero Adam Voges