Terrific Taylor equals NZ landmark

Black Caps batsman Ross Taylor has equalled the New Zealand record for ODI hundreds, posting his 16th during the Chappell-Hadlee decider with Australia at Seddon Park in Hamilton.

Taylor joins Nathan Astle atop the ODI centuries list for his country, reaching the mark in his 178th match as he provided the foundation of the Kiwis' performance with the bat at the boutique venue.

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Taylor was out shortly after reaching triple figuress, pulling James Faulkner directly to Marcus Stoinis on the mid-wicket fence to depart for 107.

Astle, who played 223 ODIs between 1995 and 2007, scored his 16th hundred in February 2006 – a week before Taylor first appeared in Black Caps colours.

Worldwide, the 16 hundreds also puts him alongside Australian legend Adam Gilchrist in equal 18th position all time. Fourteen of his tons have come batting at No.4, which puts him level with South Africa superstar AB de Villiers for the most scored from that spot in the line-up.

Taylor's career was potentially at a crossroads only last November, when a growth in his left eye was identified as an issue affecting his batting.

He was in doubt for the Pakistan Tests as a result but responded brilliantly, making an unbeaten hundred in the second match – also at Hamilton – and underwent surgery following the series.

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Upon his return at the end of December he immediately made runs, posting scores of 82 not out and 80 for Central Districts in New Zealand's domestic Twenty20 competition, and he followed it up with scores of 40, 60 and 77 during the Bangladesh Test series.

Against Australia at Eden Park in the series opener, he under-edged off-spinner Travis Head to depart for 16, but on a bright day in Hamilton, the sun shone on the New Zealand great.

The 32-year-old cut, drove and pulled his way to a superb hundred, dominating the hosts' innings in front of a packed Seddon Park crowd.

It was Taylor's second ODI hundred against Australia, and first in almost a decade against his trans-Tasman opponents.

The former Black Caps skipper also has history looming in the Test arena; he is one century away from joining his late mentor Martin Crowe with the Black Caps record of 17.

Taylor said recently that he had been inspired when Crowe, who passed away in March 2016, had pointed out some records he should consider targeting.

"Sometimes, you just play cricket and you just meander along, and I think that is when the goals come into it," he said last month.

"At the moment, I'm pretty happy with where my game is at. If I can get myself in and play well, then if the hundred comes, it comes.

"If not, I'll just continue to try and be as consistent as possible."