Kathmandu, 5 September

New Zealand’s former captain Ross Taylor has made a sensational decision to return from retirement at the age of 41. However, he will not represent his home country but will instead play international cricket for another nation.

Ross Taylor will feature for Samoa in the upcoming Asia-East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier. The tournament, set to take place in Oman, offers Samoa a chance to qualify for next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Taylor shared this news via his Instagram handle, expressing his emotions about the decision. He wrote, “It’s official. I’m thrilled to announce that I will be with the blue jersey and represent Samoa in cricket. This is much more than just a comeback to the game I love. It’s a moment of pride to represent my heritage, culture, village, and family.”

Taylor’s connection to Samoa comes through his mother, which qualifies him to hold a Samoan passport. After retiring from New Zealand cricket in 2022, he completed the mandatory three-year cooling-off period, making him eligible to play for Samoa. For New Zealand, he played 112 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 102 T20Is, amassing a total of 18,199 runs across formats. From 2006 to 2022, he was a cornerstone of the New Zealand team and is regarded as one of the country’s greatest batsmen.