Latest news on Coronavirus: Ross Taylor admits feeling strange during Sydney ODI vs Australia

Ross Taylor admits feeling strange during Sydney ODI: The veteran Kiwi batsman felt like playing a warm-up match last month.

Veteran New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor, who recently became the first cricketer to play 100 matches across formats, was also part of the first ODI of New Zealand’s tour of Australia which was played at an empty SCG stadium in March.

In a latest interview with ESPNcricinfo, Taylor spoke against creating a full-house like atmosphere in an empty stadium but was hopeful that the sport can be continued in the same manner till the situation doesn’t improve.

Take care everyone 🙏❤️ pic.twitter.com/PVAIeU6aSm

— Ross Taylor (@RossLTaylor) March 24, 2020

“The cricket can definitely be played at a high level. The guys were all professional in how they went about their business. It is odd, though, and creating your own atmosphere, I don’t think you can ever quite create what a full house might do when there’s simply no one there and all you hear is the crack off a cricket bat,” Taylor was quoted as saying.

Ross Taylor admits feeling strange during Sydney ODI

Coming in to bat at No. 4 in the 20th over in a 259-run chase, Taylor ended up scoring 4 (6) as the visitors lost the match by 71 runs. Taylor, 36, admitted that he felt strange while playing in front of an empty stadium and that it the vibe wasn’t of an international match.

“It was quite strange leading into the game. There were lots of whispers about the game being cancelled and everything happened very quickly. In the context of the match, turning up the preparation felt a bit strange.To me it felt like a warm-up game, didn’t feel like a true international match but I guess once you get into it it’s no different to if you are playing a competitive game of backyard cricket or a club game, you give it your all.

“But I’m not going to lie, it did feel very strange. At the same time there could be a few games like that so I’m sure as players we’ll have to adjust to that and get used to it,” Taylor said.

It appears as playing in front of empty stadiums is the way forward in times when make physical contact isn’t advisable. Other than Taylor, Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, veteran India spinner Harbhajan Singh, Australia spearhead Pat Cummins and Pakistan batsman Imam-ul-Haq have shared contrasting views with respect to playing in front of empty stadiums.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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