Ross Taylor's record-breaking ODI ton was not about achieving personal milestones, it was more about getting New Zealand back in the series against world No.1 South Africa.
Taylor's unbeaten 102 was invaluable as the Black Caps snuck past South Africa by six runs in game two at Hagley Oval to level the series.
His 17th ODI ton lifted him past Nathan Astle as the most prolific Kiwi centurion in the format. He also became just the fourth New Zealander to tally 6000 runs.
But he says the milestones weren't on his mind as South Africa threatened to take control in game three of the five-match series in Wellington on Saturday.
"We knew it was going to be a tough series. If we had gone 2-0 down it was going to be pretty hard to come back from," Taylor said.
"We've got momentum in our camp now and hopefully we'll take that into Wellington."
Taylor's career overlapped with Astle's and the 32-year-old says he feels sheepish to claim the record off the celebrated former hard-hitting opener.
"I used to enjoy watching him bat," Taylor said.
"It's a little bit embarrassing taking it off him, but I guess when you have a long-ish career the milestones will come along.
"You've still got to enjoy them when they do and I guess it's extra special because it was a win."
Taylor has scored 705 runs at an average of 78.3 at all levels since undergoing surgery late last year on an eye condition which had been affecting his batting.
It makes his recent axing from the New Zealand Twenty20 team increasingly hard to fathom.
However, Taylor wants to focus only on what awaits in the immediate future.
The ODI series is followed by three Tests against the Proteas before New Zealand begin preparing for the mid-year Champions Trophy in the UK.
