Lagatar24 Desk
Wellington, Dec 30: Veteran New Zealand batter Ross Taylor, announced on Thursday that he will retire from international cricket at the end of the current domestic season. Taylor will thus make his final appearance in the second Test against Bangladesh, where he will equal Daniel Vettori’s New Zealand record of 112 tests.
Today I'm announcing my retirement from international cricket at the conclusion of the home summer, two more tests against Bangladesh, and six odi’s against Australia & the Netherlands. Thank you for 17 years of incredible support. It’s been an honour to represent my country #234 pic.twitter.com/OTy1rsxkYp
— Ross Taylor (@RossLTaylor) December 29, 2021
The 37-year-old will not play in the Test series against South Africa, but will play in the one-day international series in Australia in February and at home in late March against the Netherlands.
Taylor’s final appearance for New Zealand will be the fourth and final ODI in the series against the Netherlands on April 4 in his hometown of Hamilton.
“It’s been an amazing journey and I feel incredibly fortunate to have represented my country for as long as I have,” Taylor said in a statement Thursday.
“It’s been such a privilege to play with and against some of the greats of the game and to have created so many memories and friendships along the way. But all good things must come to an end and the timing feels right for me,” he added.
Taylor, who made his Test debut against South Africa in 2008 and the first of 233 one-day internationals against the West Indies in 2006, will leave the game as New Zealand’s all-time leading Test and one-day international scorer. He has 7584 Test runs with 19 centuries, second only to current captain Kane Williamson, and 8581 ODI runs, which puts him ahead of former skipper Stephen Fleming (8007). His 21 One-Day International centuries are also a New Zealand record.
Taylor has also played 102 Twenty20 internationals, making him the first New Zealand cricketer to appear in more than 100 matches across all three formats.
Taylor is unquestionably one of New Zealand’s greatest players, according to coach Gary Stead.
“Ross has always been a hugely respected member of the side and we’re thankful for his contributions to the Black Caps over an incredible career,” Stead said.
“His skills and temperament as a batsman have been world-class and his ability to perform at such a high level for so long speaks volumes of his longevity and professionalism,” he added.
Williamson also praised the achievements of his long-time batting partner and said, “Ross has been at the core of the side for so long and can be extremely proud of having brought the game in this country to a better place,”
Taylor is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s all-time greatest players. He currently holds the record for the most runs scored by a New Zealand player (18,074) as well as the most appearances (445). So far, he has represented his nation in 110 Tests, 233 ODIs and 102 T20Is.
