New Zealand legend Ross Taylor has decided to come out of retirement, a development that has taken the cricketing world by surprise. The 41-year-old retired from international cricket in 2022. Meanwhile, he announced on social media that he will be returning to competitive cricket.
But the twist is that Taylor will not be wearing the Black Caps jersey again. Instead, he will be representing Samoa. For the unversed, Samoa is the emerging cricketing nation from the Oceania region in the T20 World Cup qualifiers.
Ross Taylor set to start a new chapter
Taylor, one of New Zealand’s finest batters, had walked away from the game as a legend. Now, he is set to make a fresh start, driven by pride in his heritage.
Sharing the update on Instagram, Taylor wrote, “It’s official -I’m proud to announce that I’ll be pulling on the blue and representing Samoa in cricket. This is more than just a return to the game I love – it’s the huge honour to represent my heritage, culture, villages, and family. I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to the game, join the squad, and share my experience on and off the field.”
His post reflects that this comeback is not about personal glory but about giving back to the game and honouring his roots.
Samoa’s Road To The World Cup
Samoa will be competing in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup Asia–EAP Regional Final, which begins on October 8. Their opening match will be against Oman, and the tournament provides them with a pathway to qualify for the prestigious T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka next year.
For Samoa, Taylor’s inclusion is massive. His experience of playing in World Cups, his calmness under pressure, and his batting skills could inspire the side to punch above their weight. Even if Samoa do not make the cut, Taylor’s presence will help younger cricketers learn the demands of international cricket.
How Did Ross Taylor Become Eligible To Play For Samoa?
Now, many fans are wondering how Taylor, a former New Zealand great, is eligible to represent another country. Yes, the answer lies in his heritage and the ICC’s eligibility rules.
For the record, Taylor’s mother is of Samoan descent. As a result, he holds a Samoan passport. This makes him eligible to represent the island nation at the international level.
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Another requirement is the cooling-off period. According to ICC rules, a player switching teams must complete a mandatory three-year break from international cricket. Taylor last played for New Zealand in April 2022. This means that he has now completed the required time frame. With both conditions met, the 41-year-old is free to represent Samoa in the qualifiers.
Samoa’s Squad For T20 WC Qualifiers
Caleb Jasmat (capt), Ross Taylor, Darius Visser, Sean Solia, Daniel Burgess, Douglas Finau, Sam French, Kurtis Hynam-Nyberg, Ben Mailata, Noah Mead, Solomon Nash, Samson Sola, Fereti Sululoto, Saumani Tiai, Ili Tugaga
Ross Taylor had a glorious career with New Zealand
Ross Taylor is widely regarded as one of the greatest New Zealand batters of all time. Making his debut in 2006, he went on to represent the Black Caps for 16 years. The Wellington-born finished his career as New Zealand’s second-highest run-getter across formats. Taylor predominantly batted at number four, a position he made his own. He mustered 7683 runs in Tests, 8607 runs in ODIs and 1909 runs in T20Is
It is worth noting that he is the leading run-scorer for New Zealand in Test and One Day Internationals. Taylor was also a part of New Zealand’s most successful era in world cricket. He played a key role in the 2019–2021 ICC World Test Championship.
Taylor, who scored an unbeaten 47, hit the winning runs in the WTC final against Team India. In addition, Taylor featured in both the 2015 and 2019 Cricket World Cup finals, where New Zealand finished as runners-up. He announced his retirement from international cricket at the end of 2021 and played his final match in April 2022.
