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In six Test innings in 2016, Ross Taylor averages 183.50. He has scored 367 runs of which 364 came in three unbeaten innings in Zimbabwe - 173*, 124*, 67*. In the three other innings this year, in South Africa, he has scored 2*, 1, and 0. In a sense, this year has been a microcosm of Taylors entire Test career - he has had streaks of prolific run-making, but they have been offset by inexplicable periods of inconsistency, which is why he has never made the leap to the next level as a Test batsman.Now 32, Taylor is in his ninth year in Test cricket, and at an age when batsmen usually attain their peak. The prolific and precocious Kane Williamson has moved ahead of him in the pecking order among New Zealand batsmen, but Taylor remains a hugely important cog in the New Zealand batting wheel. He averages more than 55 in the last four-and-a-half years, and has the second-highest score by a New Zealand batsman during this period - his 290 in Perth is next only to Brendon McCullums 302 against India in Wellington.However, for all his run-making and high average, Taylor doesnt figure in discussions around the best batsman in the game currently. Thats because of his inconsistency, and the lack of a sustained run of excellence against top opposition. That was on display again in Centurion against South Africa when, coming off a superb series in Zimbabwe, he made one run in two innings in a Test where New Zealands batsmen were constantly under pressure. (He wasnt entirely to blame for the dismissals, though, getting run-out in the first innings, and getting a grubber in the second.)Centurion was just one Test match, but through much of 2014 and 2015, Taylor disappointed after promising plenty in the two previous years: in 2012 and 2013, his average soared to 62.40, with six centuries in 20 Tests. At the end of 2013, Taylor was 29, and that should have been the beginning of a prolific period for him. What followed, though, was two fairly ordinary years, in which he managed just two hundreds from 31 innings, and averaged 39.21. In those 31 innings, only nine times did he go past 40, while 15 times he was dismissed under 25. Twenty-six percent of his runs during this period came in one innings, the 290 he scored in Perth. Exclude that innings, and his average falls drastically to 29.92, which hardly befits a batsman of his stature. Even in 2012-13 when his overall numbers were outstanding, Taylor averaged less than 40 in four out of eight series. Even with those inconsistencies, Taylors overall Test stats in the last four-hand-a-half years are superb: 3150 runs from 72 innings, at an average of 55.26. That is better than the averages for Williamson, Joe Root, Younis Khan, David Warner, Misbah-ul-Haq and Virat Kohli, among several others. With a cut-off of 2500 runs, only five batsmen have a higher average. However, those numbers dont tell the complete story about Taylors batting during this period. Apart from his inconsistent streak, Taylor has also tended to get most of his runs against poorer bowling attacks. Since the start of 2012, Taylor has played four innings against Zimbabwe, and scored 486 runs without being dismissed; his scores are 122*, 173*, 124* and 67*. Against Bangladesh, he has scored 135 runs at 67.50, and against West Indies during the same period he has amassed 808 runs in eight Tests at an average of 73.45.The numbers against West Indies are particularly interesting: in five away Tests against them he averages only 34.77, but in three home Tests in 2013-14 he got on another run-spree, racking up scores of 217*, 16*, 129, 131 and 2* - 495 runs at 247.50.While these runs show his appetite for huge scores, they also indicate a tendency to make them against relatively weaker bowling attacks, for it is undeniable that these three teams have had the poorest attacks over the last few years. Exclude the matches against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, and Taylors average drops to 45.98, which is 14th out of 19 batsmen who have scored at least 2000-plus runs during this period. Exclude West Indies as well, and the average plummets further, to 39.11, which is 24th out of the 31 batsmen who have scored at least 1500 runs against the other teams. Williamson, on the other hand, is sixth in this list with an average of 52.03, better than all batsmen except Root (52.85), de Villiers (53.56), Amla (55.92), Smith (57.63) and Clarke (58.86). These numbers clearly explain why Taylor isnt included in the top bracket of batsmen.Even though Taylor has an overall average of 55.26 since the start of 2012, his average against most of the top teams during this period is in the 30s: it is 31.16 versus England, 33.50 versus India, 34.72 against Sri Lanka, 34.80 against South Africa, and 37 against Pakistan. The only top team against whom Taylor has done well is Australia (average 81 in six innings), but his only 50-plus score against them is the 290 he made in Perth in 2015; exclude that, and his average against them drops to 28.75. His numbers in India during this period are similarly lopsided - 157 runs in four innings, but 113 of them came in a single innings. It isnt as if he has performed in tough conditions: in his last Test match as captain, with New Zealand 1-0 down in the series in Sri Lanka, Taylor scored 142 and 74 in a match-winning and series-leveling performance. However, it is also true that these tough runs havent come often enough. On the current tour to India, New Zealands batsmen are likely to find the conditions and Indias spinners pretty challenging. For Taylor, who is New Zealands third-highest run-getter in Tests and their most experienced batsman in the current line-up, it is a fine opportunity to prove that he can consistently score runs in challenging conditions. The runs, or lack of them, by Williamson and Taylor will probably be a key factor in deciding how the series pans out. Cheap Padres Jerseys Authentic Cheap MLB Jerseys . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. http://www.cheappadresjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-randy-jones-jersey . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Cheap Padres Jerseys . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. Cheap San Diego Padres Jerseys .Y. - New York City has been selected to host the NBA All-Star weekend in 2015, with the game played at Madison Square Garden and the slam dunk contest and other skills events held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. PHILADELPHIA -- Bernard Hopkins hobbled into the gym before a sparring session using a cane to aid his small steps. He scrapped his usual stylish Prada glasses for a cheap pair old fogeys might wear and a fake gray beard that sprouted several inches past his chin.Hopkins chuckled as he wagged his cane toward amused onlookers. Long a contender in the jumbled alphabet concoctions of boxing organizations, Hopkins seemed more fit in disguise to apply for an AARP membership. Hopkins is in on the joke and has the sober realization that not even he can KO Father Time.At 51, Hopkins may have enough Executioner left in him to make it seem like old times again inside the ring.Hopkins has forged his life by hook -- like the left one he threw to knock out Oscar De La Hoya -- or by crook, the time served at Graterford Prison that steeled his resolve for a boxing career. Just about a month before he turns 52, Hopkins will fight on both his word and contractual obligation for the final time in a 28-year career when he faces 27-year-old Joe Smith Jr. in a light heavyweight bout Saturday in Los Angeles.No one savvy enough around boxing will count out Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs) for a final victory. Even as the years ticked from his late 30s to his late 40s, the days of thinking of Hopkins as a washed-up fighter sure to see his career end in a thunderous embarrassment have long ended.Nobodys laughing at me anymore, Hopkins said. That laughing made me motivated. How do I know its time? I cant find no one to laugh no more.Hopkins once promised his mother hed retire at 40. He vowed to quit at 41 after he defeated Antonio Tarver in one of his greatest fights in 2006. The Associated Press wrote of the fight that Hopkins had a storybook finish and noted Tarver starred in the final installment of the `Rocky series.Yet much like the fictional Rocky Balboa, Hopkins had many more rounds left in his story.At 48, Hopkins scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Tavoris Cloud to become the oldest boxer to win a major title.Im glad I reneged on that 10 years because Ive added to my legacy even further, Hopkins said. And nobody is complaining.Hopkins packs a punch on the short list of great geezers that include Nolan Ryan throwing a no-hitter at 43 or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar still sinking hook shots at 43. Chris Chelios hung up the hockey stick at 48.But fighting at 50? George Foreman, another geriatric great, had already traded gloves for grills by the time he hit the Big 5-0.Once Hopkins shed the old man getup, he hit the ring and physically looked like he was in prime, save for the salt-and-pepper beard. Hopkins dismisses the wisecracks about his age. He is about as serious and dedicated as any athlete in his training. Hes carved a straightedge lifestyle thhat bans drinking alcohol, keeps a healthy diet and a curfew of about 9 p.ddddddddddddm. The two-weight world champion is known to splurge on a slice of cheesecake after a victory.His fitness, his daily physical commitment, has allowed him to thrive long after fighters of his era have retired.If he can, and his body allows him to, why not? Its not like anybody is hurting him, De La Hoya said. It just proves to everyone that age doesnt matter as long as you do the right thing.Hopkins is a minority owner in De La Hoyas Golden Boy Promotions and he will continue to broadcast fights in retirement. Hopkins said he planned to become involved in a yet-to-be-announced boxing series that could help revitalize the East Coast boxing scene.Whatever he does, the mouthy Hopkins will let the world know.Ive done just about everything, Hopkins said. Peoples points are well taken on how they think. But thats why we dont have a lot of people thats me.Hopkins wore an alien mask to the ring in his last few fights and his loquaciousness always stood out even among the cartoonish personalities in boxing. He enraged a country when he stomped on a Puerto Rican flag in San Juan. He said that Manny Pacquiao should fight more black fighters. Hopkins biggest foe was his most bizarre one; a one-sided verbal lashing of former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.While never stylistically pleasing, few middleweights ever performed better than Hopkins during a 10-year reign as champ. He called himself the reincarnation of Ray Robinson and Marvin Hagler when he defeated Felix Trinidad on Sept. 29, 2001 in the defining fight of his Hall of Fame career.Hopkins lost his first fight in Atlantic City in 1988 and didnt lose again until 1993. He made 20 successful middleweight title defenses and boasts multiple runs as light heavyweight champion.Hopkins saw quality opponents dry up the last few years and hasnt fought since a 12-round decision loss to Sergey Kovalev on Nov. 8, 2014.But Hopkins never stopped pushing for that final bout. He wanted to hear the bell sound for the last time on his own terms.Rules dont apply to everyone, Hopkins said. That can go a long way. I dont look at it as others do as Russian Roulette. Rolling the dice. I look at it as, Im one of those exceptions to the rules.Hell be the exception again when he steps inside the ropes at the Forum. The ex-con from the Philly streets who learned to box in prison has become nothing short of a model citizen forever stamped as one of the sports great fighters.I came, I proved and I showed that my legacy is always based on what they say I couldnt do, Hopkins said. ' ' '