The New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor says New Zealand great Martin Crowe played a part in his big innings against Australia in the second cricket Test in Perth.
Taylor scored 290 in the Black Caps first innings, the highest score by a visitor on Australian soil in an innings last almost nine and a half hours.
Australia will start the 5th day of the second Test in Perth on 258 for 2 in their second innings, a lead of 193 runs.
Crowe, who is battling cancer, has been a mentor to Taylor for several of years.
Martin Crowe and Ross Taylor at the 2014 Cricket Awards Dinner. Photo: Photosport
Taylor was just nine runs short of Crowe's highest test score, but he did pass one of his milestone's during his innings.
"I heard from Hogan (Crowe's nickname) leading into the test match. He sent me a long email. I also heard a bit from him before the Brisbane test (and) I got a text from him last night jokingly he said he was disappointed as that was his proudest moment having the record here in Australia, 188," he said
"But he was rapt...he was very proud."
Ross Taylor sweeps during his record breaking innings of 290 against Australia in Perth. Photo: Photosport
Taylor is third on the list of New Zealand's top Test innings scorers behind Brendon McCullum's 302 against India and Crowe's 299 against Sri Lanka.
Australia will resume today with Steve Smith on 131 and Adam Voges 101.
