Cricket World Cup 2019: Ross Taylor backs ‘world class captain’ Kane Williamson following leadership criticism

Williamson's leadership has come under scrutiny for being too passive

Ross Taylor defended the captaincy credentials of Kane Williamson as he called on New Zealand's batsmen to lighten their talisman's workload ahead of a pivotal World Cup clash against England.

Williamson has amassed 454 runs in six tournament innings at a phenomenal average of 113.5, though his leadership has come under scrutiny for being too passive.

Unfavourable comparisons have been made with Williamson's predecessor, Brendon McCullum, following successive defeats to Pakistan and Australia that have left the Kiwis' World Cup hopes in the balance.

However, they will seal their place in the semi-finals if they overcome England at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.

Taylor said: "I've played under many different captains. Brendon was the extreme and Kane has his own unique style as well. You have to be true to yourself and be authentic and more often than not you get the right result.

"Kane is a fantastic world-class batsman and a world-class captain. There are some pundits out there saying he was a great captain. We lose a couple of games and he is a bad captain.

"He is still a great captain, leads from the front and the team respect him and I love playing under him. I'd love as a team to take a little bit of pressure off him and score some runs and not let him do everything."

New Zealand may already have enough points to reach the knockout stages but their campaign looks to be faltering at the worst possible moment.

The Black Caps have been edged out in their two most recent bilateral series against England, who also prevailed when the sides came up against each other at the Champions Trophy two years ago.

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Taylor added: "We definitely haven't got the momentum that we would have liked in the last couple of games, but tomorrow is a different story against different opposition.

"(Momentum) does play a big part regardless of what it is, but however you make those semi-finals, as long as you get there. Tomorrow is a big game for both sides.

"Momentum going into that semi-final for whoever makes it is big, but it still doesn't mean if you do lose, you can't come hard and win those last two games. Once you make the semi-finals, you know you are only two games away."

Jofra Archer is a former team-mate of Taylor, who had a stint at Sussex a couple of years ago, and the veteran New Zealand batsman is wary of the England paceman's threat.

Taylor said: "Archer has added a different dimension and balance to their side. He's a fantastic bowler, but we probably haven't seen the best of him with his batting because he's a fantastic batsman as well."

The last time Taylor faced England in a one-day international, the 35-year-old registered a stunning 181 not out in Dunedin last year to underpin a five-wicket victory.

He has yet to reach three figures in this year's World Cup, but added: "I have felt good throughout the whole tournament, a couple of strangles down the leg-side and a couple of good balls, that is the nature of the beast and cricket.

"You know you are not too far away from hopefully getting a few out the middle and getting that confidence up."

PA