Taylor backs Kiwi top-order to deliver against Windies

Wellington: New Zealand player Ross Taylor has backed his side`s top order to deliver and put the team in a winning position in Dunedin in the first Test against the West Indies, despite a bowler-friendly pitch at the University Oval .

The ground`s turf manager has produced a much greener deck this time although the former captain remains confident that New Zealand`s Test batsmen can continue to improve and deliver in the Test opener against the Caribbean side. According to Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand is in a favourable position to achieve their aim of batting atleast four sessions and scoring 400 in the first innings as none of the West Indies bowlers have played international cricket in the country, and Taylor said that the key for his side`s batsmen is not get too frustrated if the opposite bowlers dominate. Stating that the batsmen may have to put away a few shots and `soak it up` for a bit, Taylor also said that his side have the skills to survive any early zip the tourists could extract and expected the top order to rise to the challenge. Taylor further said that the even on green seamers, the ball swings and moves for 35-40 overs, adding that if the batsmen can get through that stage when the ball is hard, it gets easier with the Kookaburra ball.