Ross Taylor could be just what New Zealand need in the wake of the mass of departures from their batting line-up: an aggressive top-order batsman capable of taking up the challenge to world-class attacks.

He made a flying start to the domestic 2005-06 season, with three centuries, and was soon in his country's limited-overs side. In only his third match, Taylor hammered a superb 128 against Sri Lanka at Napier and he followed it up with 84 at better than a run a ball in his first ODI outside New Zealand, at Hobart against Australia in January 2007.

But in both matches he suffered from cramps and would be keen to eradicate that problem as he strives for more lengthy innings. He scores heavily from the pull and from slog-sweeping the spinners and his free-flowing game has made him a hit with crowds.

There was evidence of that during the IPL and Champions League when the Bangalore crowds cheered him as their 'local' hero.