James Taylor praises England's spin defence ahead of third ODI against Pakistan
Monday 16 November 2015 17:20, UK
England's batting tactics against Pakistan's spinners have been saluted by James Taylor ahead of the third one-day international in Sharjah on Tuesday.
Pakistan won the first ODI by six wickets while England levelled with a thumping 95-run win in the second - both in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan's spinners have managed just four wickets in the two one-day internationals and Taylor said: "A lot of credit has to go to our batsmen and the way they've played Yasir [Shah]."
Pakistan's leg-spinner Shah, who took 15 wickets in the preceding 2-0 Test series win, has taken just one wicket in two games and was ruled out of the third with a knee injury.
"I think the boys in general have played spin pretty well on this trip. I think the talent we've got in this one-day group is exceptional and we showed glimpses of that in the second match," Taylor added.
Live One-Day International Cricket
Taylor, who stands at 5' 2'' (1.6 metres), revealed how interesting it was to face Pakistan paceman Mohammad Irfan - the tallest-ever to play cricket at 7' 1" (2.2 metres).
"I haven't suddenly become this small overnight. I've been around the lads for a while now, so it's nothing different," Taylor said. "He's [Irfan] just an exceptionally tall bowler, so it's always amusing when I come up against him.
"I had neckache for half-an-hour afterwards! I quite enjoy facing the big guys, because it means the ball should bounce - and that plays to my strengths.
"But he's obviously exceptionally tall, and I'm pretty short - so the height difference is quite funny. I find it amusing looking up at him, and I'm sure everybody else around the ground did as well."
Taylor, who scored a half-century in the third and final Test in Sharjah, said he has learnt how to play on dry sub-continent pitches.
"I've learned a lot, playing again in the sub-continent, how tough the environment and the conditions are - and how good a side Pakistan are," he added.
"As a team we've learned a lot, and I think that is the most important thing. But most importantly, we've come here to win - and so far, we've won one and lost one. So it's all to play for. We know they're going to come back hard at us."
