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unbeaten century after Bangladesh won the toss and decided to field on the first day of the opening Test match at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
This was Taylor’s third Test century after facing 200 balls with five fours and a six and it was his 127-run fourth wicket partnership with Mathew Waller (58) whose half century came after facing 119 balls with three fours that savoured Zimbabwe to close the day at 217/4.
“I am very pleased with the way I turned out today because we had a difficult time in West Indies so coming back home and turning it around with a century is really special for me and even more special for the team.
“When I reached the 90’s I was feeling very nervous but I had to keep focusing on the game and take it ball by ball, step by step and going into the game I was not really expecting for this (century) but my main aim was to stay on the line for longer hours and that backed me to get it,” said Taylor.
Zimbabwe’s score at the end of the day was definitely a much better position to end the day given the way they had started as they lost their first wicket after opener Vusimuzi Sibanda (6) was clean bowled by seamer Robiul Islam on the first ball of the ninth over.
This left the hosts on 10 for the loss of one but Sibanda’s opening partner and debutant Timmy Maruma did not last long either.
It was a forgettable derby for Maruma who was quick to follow and it was in the 15th over that Islam came back to haunt the hosts’ attack that saw Maruma take the long walk back to the pavillion after he was trapped lbw in the 15th over.
Zimbabwe went on to lose Hamilton Masakadza (26) in the 40th over after he was caught by Mahmudullah off an Enamul Haque (junior) before Taylor and Waller stole the show to drive Zimbabwe to a respectable position at the close of the day.
“It was a tough day for us, the wicket was clean and I am happy that we managed to pick ourselves from 20/2 and fought back our way into the game ending the day in a decent and respectable position.
“And going into the game tomorrow (today) the first hour is going to be vey critical if we are to make any good runs and if we get through that then it is going to be a lot better for us and reaching 350 or 400 would not be bad for us.
“We just don’t have to give them (Bangladesh) a chance of getting any early wickets against us because we are looking at staying on the crease longer but we do not have to rush it so taking it step by step would be good for us,” said Taylor
Going into lunch Zimbabwe were 50/2 after losing Maruma and Masakadza and it looked like it was going to a rather bleak day for the hosts but mature batting combination of Taylor and Waller steadied the Zimbabwe ship.
Taylor must be thanking the cricket gods after he was dropped by Shahriar Nafees after putting up just 35 runs to his name and this was the same person who also dropped Maruma earlier in the first over of the game.
The Zimbabwe captain went on to punish Bangladesh for the dropped catch reaching his well deserved and celebrated third Test century in the process.
Taylor reached his half century after facing 123 balls with a six and a four and this gave him the power and motivation to continue, leading to the only half century partnership of the day in 106 balls.
The duo continued with the good handling of the bat, playing clever shots as they made inroads against a Bangladesh attack that started getting indisciplined and Zimbabwe capitalised on the advantage.
And at tea, the hosts were 121/3 and this was shortly after Taylor had just scored his half century with Waller on 22, Taylor did not give risk a chance, carefully deciding not to take the tricky deliveries and his confidence grew with each over.
Then Waller was rewarded for his patience and sure batting on the crease to get his second Test half century in the 78th over with a single run off a Sohag Gazi delivery which he placed through the midwicket.
This important partnership came to an end after Waller was bowled by Rubel Hossain and this saw the introduction of Elton Chigumbura whose wicket was struck by Hossain after facing just six balls but the decision went Zimbabwe’s way as it turned out to be a no-ball.
Online Reporter