Taylor-made pathway to redemption for Black Cap

A year ago Ross Taylor, disappointed at being replaced as the New Zealand captain, spent Christmas away from the spotlight. He didn't know when he'd return to the game. Twelve months on, he's in the form of his life and the No 4 ranked test batsman in the world after an incredible series against the West Indies. Last week, he told Fairfax Media his story.

Standing in a butcher's shop in Waihi Beach last December, the hot sun beating down outside as holidaymakers soaked up the rays, the last thing on Ross Taylor's mind was cricket.

Earlier that month, he'd been unceremoniously replaced as the New Zealand captain by Brendon McCullum after 18 solid months in the job.

The decision had been telegraphed a month earlier during the Black Caps' tour to Sri Lanka. But when the blow from coach Mike Hesson officially came on December 7, it didn't make it any easier to stomach.

At a time when his team-mates, under their new captain, were preparing for a tour to South Africa, Taylor retreated to the beach to escape the spotlight.

It was, Taylor says looking back now, fantastic to have a "normal Kiwi Christmas" and spend time with his wife, Victoria, and daughter, Mackenzie. After all, as a professional cricketer, summer vacations are almost unheard of.