Ross Taylor Calls Time On International Cricket Career

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has called time on his international cricket career following his side's victory in their third One Day International against the Netherlands at Seddon Park. New Zealand won by 115 runs in Taylor’s last outing for his country in Hamilton in a game where he was out for fourteen but managed to make the match-winning catch.

So, it's fair to say that it was a bittersweet occasion for the thirty-eight-year-old at Seddon Park. As he will have wanted to put on a better showing at the crease, with fourteen runs, a disappointing return from a man who scored a total of 7,683 in the longest format, and 8,607 where One Day Internationals are concerned – both of which are records for New Zealand. But, he was on hand, in front of his family, to make the catch that dismissed Aryan Dutt, securing victory in the process.

The Netherlands were keen to play their part too in honouring Taylor's achievements on the international circuit and gave the batsman, who turned out for New Zealand for sixteen years, with a guard of honour when he came out to bat. "Ross is undoubtedly one of the absolute greats of New Zealand cricket, and one of the greats of world cricket," according to NZ Cricket chairman Martin Sneddon. And it's difficult to argue against that statement.

Domestic cricket fans in the UK will be familiar with Taylor and his abilities at the crease because he starred for several teams in England over the course of his career. Durham, Sussex, Nottinghamshire and Middlesex were all clubs where Taylor starred, with Middlesex the most recent in 2019. Taylor also represented multiple other outfits, including the likes of Royal Challengers Bangalore, Victoria, Delhi Daredevils and Guyana Amazon Warriors.

It could prove to be a time of all change where New Zealand cricket is concerned at the international level. Not only is Taylor calling it a day, but as indicated by him during his outgoing speech, so will the team's manager Gary Stead. 

“Special thanks to our manager. You have been with us for ten or eleven years, and are moving on at the same time as me, wish you all the best. To my teammates, it has been a pleasure, thoroughly enjoyed my time, and I will be watching how you guys grow from the other side. You are in good stead, and I will miss you boys,” Taylor commented.

While there may be change on the horizon, the future does look good for New Zealand. They recorded a clean sweep in the One Day International series against the Netherlands 3-0, with Martin Guptill hitting 106 and Will Young following that up with 120. Matt Henry was also on hand with the ball to take 4-36. Of course, they’ll continue on without Taylor’s services, but nobody will forget what he achieved for them over the years.