Ross Taylor hit an unbeaten century on Monday in the second Test against the West Indies to equal his late mentor Martin Crowe’s record of most tons by a New Zealand batsman.

The 33-year-old’s 17 tons now ties him skipper Kane Williamson along with Crowe for the most Test centuries for New Zealand.

The Blackcaps batsman remained unbeaten on 107 in the second innings before Williamson declared to set the West Indies a massive target of 444 runs to get in the final innings.

Playing on his home ground, Taylor had spoken about the desire to tie his mentor’s feat in Hamilton on the eve of the second Test.

“I know if I go through the right preparation, give myself the best chance and continually do that, that I will be able to get to 17, 18 or whatever,” he had said.

“Seventeen is the benchmark that Hogan (Crowe) wanted me to get to and beat. But he said, also, carry on and don’t stop there.”

After scoring his ton, the right-handed batsman turned emotional when asked about how he felt with his achievement.

“When I first met Hogan in 2006, he wanted me to get to 17, so it’s a special one. The situation of the game took care of itself. To get to three figures was nice and satisfying. I’m sure he’d be happy. That was one of his (Crowe) goals,” he said in the post-day press conference.

It took Taylor 83 Tests to achieve the feat compared to Crowe’s 77. Williamson meanwhile has been the quickest to the mark, taking only 61 Tests.

West Indies were facing a daunting task when stumps were called on day three having already lost two wickets in their chase of 444. The Caribbean side ended on 30-2 with Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope at the crease.