Sydney, Nov.15 : New Zealand's latest batting sensation Ross Taylor is convinced that the team can achieve the coveted number one position in cricket rankings sooner than later.

The first Samoan to don national colours and the first of Samoan descent to score a Test century, says he is ready to drag the nation out of its cricketing's doldrums.

"We can be the No.1 or No.2 Test team in the world. It will take a couple of years but we have the talent available. There is no point setting yourself low targets. There is no reason why we can't be the top side; we were at one time the second-ranked team behind Australia," the Sun quoted Taylor, as saying.

After 10 Tests, Taylor's average of 35.38 is second only to the country's greatest ever run-scorer Stephen Fleming (36.05) after as many games. Better than Martin Crowe, Nathan Astle, John Wright and Bev Congdon - who make up New Zealand's top five Test run scorers.

And like them, he is destined to be a leader. Having captained the national under-19s side, Taylor must now shoulder responsibilities as a key, senior member of a hugely inexperienced team facing the daunting prospect of Australia on their unforgiving soil.

"One of the hardest things is that we're such a young team. We used to have Nathan Astle, Scott Styris and Stephen Fleming down the other end when you come into bat. Now you look down the other end and there's Jamie How, Aaron Redmond and Jesse Ryder," he said.

"Playing against Australia is always a good gauge of where you're at," Taylor said.

Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum hold court in leadership rankings at present but Taylor said he would not shirk an offer to captain the side in future.

ANI