Kane Williamson hit a fine century, setting the platform for New Zealand's competitive first innings total of 291 after they elected to bat first in the second match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 against Australia at The Oval on Friday (June 2).
The batting lineup is impressive, boasting David Warner, captain Steve Smith, Aaron Finch, and Glenn Maxwell.
Taylor finally fell in the 34th over for a 58-ball 46, just one run shy of posting the fourth consecutive ODI-century stand with Williamson.
New Zealand were on course for a score well above 300 while Williamson was at the crease in an innings reduced to 46 overs because of the rain.
Williamson's departure heralded a mini collapse by the Kiwis as they lost the remaining six wickets over the next six overs.
Trent Boult of New Zealand celebrates dismissing David Warner of Australia during the ICC Champions Trophy match.
A minimum of 20 overs had to be bowled in Australia's innings for a result to be declared, but the last downpour was so severe there was no chance of the match resuming in time. We still had a lot of work to do and they've got a quality bowling attack as well.
However, the skipper was furious at the performance of his bowlers, as the returning Mitchell Starc (0-52) and Pat Cummins (1-67) in particular, struggled with the line and length albeit on a flawless batting wicket.
Following more rain, Australia was set a revised target of 235 runs from 33 overs.
Australia made a dishevelled start, giving the New Zealand batsmen either room outside off stump to free their arms, or drifting onto leg stump to open up the onside.
Both teams received a point apiece for the no result from what was their opening match of the 2017 Champions Trophy, a tournament featuring the world´s top eight one-day worldwide teams.
The 114 runs the Kiwis added in the opening 15 overs featured 16 fours and three sixes as Cummins copped the brunt of the assault, his first five overs going for 52 runs.
Jose Mourinho might settle for a solitary point against a close rival but in cricket's Champions Trophy any such hiccup can help others in the group and England now have only to win one of their next two games to qualify for the semi-finals.
Earlier, Ronchi - born in New Zealand but raised in Australia, for whom he played seven limited-overs internationals in 2008-09 - provided some entertainment with three sixes and nine fours in a 43-ball salvo as a pinch-hitting opener.
"It's obviously not ideal to have a washout", Smith said.
Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, James Pattinson and Josh Hazlewood represent the fastest, most imposing seam unit in the competition and they are well fancied to wreak havoc in the tournament.
"But if you start well, you certainly make things a hell of a lot easier on yourselves and today we didn't do that".
"Let's hope it's rust and let's hope it's gone", said Smith.
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