Ross Taylor, one of New Zealand’s greatest. attacking,explosive and a great cricketers, is coming back to the international stage. But this time, he won’t be wearing the black jersey of New Zealand. At 41, Taylor is set to wear the colors of Samoa, his mother was from Samoa, and he chooses to play from mother,s country as he takes on a new journey in the T20 World Cup qualifiers.
Announcing His Big Decision
Taylor shared the news on social media, saying it was a big honour to play for Samoa. He wrote that this wasn’t just about playing cricket again, but also about celebrating his heritage, culture, villages, and family. His fans around the world felt happy and emotional to see him back in the game, this time for such a personal reason.
A Glorious Career with New Zealand
Before this, Ross Taylor had already achieved everything in cricket. He notched up an incredible 18,199 runs in 450 international games while sporting the New Zealand jerse, he won lots of matches for the new zealand country. In T20 matches alone, he played 102 games and scored 1,909 runs, making him one of the top scorers for his country. One of his biggest achievements was helping New Zealand win the first ever ICC World Test Championship in 2021. That victory was a proud moment for the entire country, and Taylor played an important part in it.
Eligible to Play for Samoa
He is almost ready to play for Samoa because his mother is from the Somoa and he would love to play from that country. According to the rules, a player can switch teams if they don’t play international cricket for three years. Taylor retired from New Zealand cricket in April 2022, so the time period is complete, allowing him to proudly wear the Samoa jersey.
Preparing for the Challenge
Even though Taylor has not played international cricket for more than two years, he has been training hard to get ready. He admitted that match fitness will be tough at his age, but he has played in smaller tournaments and has been working on his fitness for months. It will be a big adjustment, he pointed out, but shared that he’s eager to tackle the challenge.
Samoa’s Road to the World Cup
For Samoa, the tournament in Oman starting from 8th of October is a key opportunity To prove himself and show that he made the right decision to come out of retirement. with opponents including Oman and Papua New Guinea. Out of nine teams, only three will move ahead to play in the T20 World Cup 2026. The matches are prepared going to played in the one of the most famous and great cricket stadiums like India and Sri Lanka.
the Country Samoa reached this stage by winning their Sub Regional Qualifier, where they defeated teams like Vanuatu, Fiji, and Cook Islands and now with Ross Taylor, another New Zealand born player, Sean Solia, is also in the squad.
Giving Back to the Game
Taylor has always said that the traditional Samoan version of cricket, called kilikiti, was a big part of his childhood. Now, with his long international experience, including years in the Indian Premier League, he hopes to guide Samoa not only with his batting but also with his leadership and advice. He said he is excited to give his best for his new cricketing country to give back to the game and help them reach the global stage. give them new hights at the global stage.
A Special Journey Ahead
Ross Taylor’s comeback on the cricketing field is not just about cricket it’s about pride, passion, Love family, culture, and determination for the game. It is a powerful reminder of his deep connection to his Samoan roots and the love he carries for the game.
Fans around the world will be eager to see him step onto the field once again, this time in blue, representing the land of his heritage. With his experience and leadership, Taylor will not only inspire young cricketers in Samoa but also try to guide the team towards making history by qualifying for the T20 World Cup.