Rested and ready for action, Ross Taylor returns to the New Zealand team for the second game in their seven-match series against Sri Lanka in Hamilton.

Taylor was rested from the first one-day international three days ago after helping New Zealand clinch the Test series in Wellington earlier this month.

He makes a timely return to Thursday’s starting line-up following Kane Williamson’s shoulder injury.

Despite the absence of the prolific run scorer, 30-year-old Taylor isn’t placing any additional pressure on himself to perform.

“Every time you play you want to contribute to a team victory and play as well as you can for yourself, regardless of who’s playing or not,” Taylor said.

He has confirmed he will bat at his preferred position of No.4 on Thursday, meaning Tom Latham moves up the order to three and Grant Elliott gets another opportunity at five, giving the duo another chance to impress the selectors.