Coach Mike Hesson believes eye issues may be contributing to Ross Taylor’s poor batting and catching form © Associated Press
Ross Taylor will see an eye specialist on Monday to determine his fitness for the second Test, after a preliminary eye test had revealed a “growth” which coach Mike Hesson believed has affected Taylor’s batting.
The ailment – in Taylor’s left eye – was also cited as one of the reasons he ceded his usual no. 4 position to Henry Nicholls in the second innings of the Christchurch Test. It may also have contributed to a dip in batting and catching form in recent months.
“Ross is at the moment having a little bit of trouble with his eyes so he’s looking after those at the current point and take all the necessary steps to make them better,” captain Kane Williamson said after New Zealand’s eight-wicket win at Hagley Oval. “At this stage we are not 100% sure what it is. There’s a growth that’s come across a little bit. It’s been fine for long time, and been monitored for long time. It is a gradual thing as opposed to something that’s very sudden.”
Taylor had had a similar eye test about a year ago, before he scored a career-best 290 against Australia. However, Hesson said his vision may have worsened since then. Taylor has averaged 11.44 across his last 10 Test innings, and has not made an international half century in his last 15 trips to the crease, though he did have an outstanding run of scores against Zimbabwe immediately prior to this period.
“Twelve months ago he had his annual checkup, got some eye drops and scored 290 in next game,” Hesson said. “In last few months it appears to have deteriorated a little bit. We’ll get some further info from the specialist. We all need regular check ups, and about six months ago, Ross had no issues at all. It might have come on a little bit quicker than we would like. Ross was keen to get it seen to.”
Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo’s Sri Lanka correspondent. @andrewffernando
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo