Ross Taylor Comes Out of Retirement to Play for Samoa in T20 World Cup Qualifiers

Wellington, Sep 5 (AP) - Ross Taylor, the celebrated New Zealand cricketer, is stepping out of retirement to represent Samoa in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup qualifying tournament set to take place in Oman next month.

Taylor, who concluded his international career in 2022, holds the record for having played the most matches for New Zealand, with 112 Tests, 236 One-Day Internationals, and 102 T20 Internationals. He stands second on New Zealand’s all-time Test scoring list, with 7,683 runs, and second in test centuries with 19, both rankings behind Kane Williamson.

With familial ties to Samoa through his mother, Lote, Taylor will participate in the tournament using his full given name and chiefly title: Leaupepe Luteru Ross Poutoa Lote Taylor.

At 41, Taylor has answered the call from his friend, former New Zealand cricketer Tarun Nethula, to aid Samoa in their quest to qualify for the T20 World Cup to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Samoa is scheduled to compete against Papua New Guinea for a coveted spot in next year's tournament.

“It's quite a powerful thing when players are asking you to come out of retirement and help them,” Taylor shared with the Stuff news website. “I'm no spring chicken, but I'm sure I'm still fit enough to run around the boundary.”

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