Former New Zealand star Ross Taylor is set to make a remarkable return to international cricket, this time representing Samoa in the Asia-East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier, scheduled to take place in Oman.
Samoa’s squad announcement on Friday confirmed Taylor’s inclusion, sparking excitement among fans eager to see him back on the field after more than two years.
In a post on Instagram, Ross Taylor expressed his pride in representing his heritage. He wrote, “It is a huge honour for me to represent my heritage, culture, village and family.”
Taylor qualifies to play for Samoa through his mother, who is originally from the island nation. Alongside his New Zealand citizenship, he also holds Samoan nationality.
Following his retirement from New Zealand cricket in April 2022, Taylor completed the three-year stand-down period required by international cricket regulations, making him eligible to represent Samoa.
During his celebrated career with the Black Caps, Ross Taylor established himself as one of the most prolific batsmen in New Zealand’s history. Over 16 years, he amassed 7,683 runs in 112 Test matches, 8,607 runs in 236 One-Day Internationals, and 1,909 runs in 102 T20 Internationals.
His combined tally of 18,199 runs across all formats highlights his remarkable consistency and skill at the highest level.
Cricket experts believe Taylor’s inclusion could significantly boost Samoa’s chances in the qualifier, not only through his batting but also his leadership and experience.
Fans across both New Zealand and Samoa will be watching closely as he embarks on this new chapter of his cricket journey.
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