As the Kiwis are going to start their Test series against Bangladesh in two days’ time, a big announcement has come their way as Ross Taylor has declared that he is going to hang his boots. The seasoned campaigner has been a star of the New Zealand line-up for a very long time. However, he has now made it clear that the Test series against Bangladesh is going to be his farewell Test series.
While Ross Taylor is going to retire from Test cricket in the first month of the New Year, fans will get to see him in limited overs cricket for some time, but not for very long. The experienced Kiwi batsman will bid goodbye to One-Day cricket after the ODI series against Netherlands which will take place in the month of April. The right-handed batsman has provided his services for the team since 2006 and April 2022 will be the last time, the fans see him playing international cricket.
Ross Taylor to retire from International Cricket
The last ODI against Netherlands will take place in Seddon Park, Hamilton, where he lives with his family and it’s only fair that the cricketer will retire in front of his home crowd. Though Taylor is going to retire from Tests and ODIs, he will continue playing for Central Stags and possibly the T20 leagues and county cricket offshore.
“It’s nice to finish on your own terms… it’s the right time for me and my family. At the same time I’ve still got some cricket to play. In an ideal world I would have played and then [announced] it at the end, but at this level you can’t do that,” said Taylor.
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 star Kiwi batsman wanted to bid goodbye to Test cricket after the second Test against South Africa on 25th February, 2022, however the COVID-19 protocols made it impossible. “It would have been nice to play against South Africa, but Australia’s a place I’ve always enjoyed… and finishing my career playing one-day cricket which is probably my best format.”