New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor felt the only way to explain the dominance of his side over Pakistan in the last two days is because their minds have been occupied with the terrible tragedy with Phil Hughes, and not on the result of the Test match.

– New Zealand v Pakistan: Day three report
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After another day of splendid batting, New Zealand were ahead by 286 runs, having reached 637 for eight in reply to Pakistan’s first innings total of 351.

When asked about the position of New Zealand in the Test match, Taylor, who was one of three batsmen who made exactly 50 for his side, said: “I guess it was another strange day. Without those circumstances, we would be very happy and ecstatic about the day.

“Strange is the only way I can describe it.  As a team, we are trying to take it day by day and I am sure at the end of the Test match, we might be able to reflect on it.

“When I batted with Kane (Williamson), normally I talk a lot. Today, we did not say much. And a lot of time when we did talk, it was more token than anything else.

“Once again, it was a very strange feeling and something that I have never felt before in my career and hopefully, I don’t ever again.”

Taylor said the mood in the New Zealand camp was slightly better compared to Thursday and Friday, but they were still not enjoying their cricket.

“In terms of yesterday compared to today, I must admit it has been a bit better. But I think we are still a while away when we can get to the enjoyment factor of cricket again,” he added.

“I think everyone will go back to the hotel tonight, have some dinner and turn up again here tomorrow morning. If we decide to bat on, we bat on. If not, we go to the field and try our best.”

Trying to explain the performance of the Kiwis since the day news broke out of Hughes’ death, Taylor added: “I think it just goes on to show a little bit that when you take out the pressure in a game situation, and just bat like when you were a little kid, how things evolve differently.

“Every player who went out there today, just went and played their natural game and did not think much about the situation of the game.”