New Zealand cricket great Ross Taylor to come out of retirement to play for Samoa

In a surprising turn of events, Ross Taylor, a legendary figure in New Zealand cricket, has reversed his retirement to represent Samoa in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup qualifying tournament scheduled in Oman next month
Taylor, who officially retired from international cricket in 2022 after an illustrious career spanning 112 Test matches, 236 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 102 T20 Internationals, will now don Samoa’s colors. During his time with New Zealand, he became one of the most capped and high-scoring players in the country’s history.

Taylor’s eligibility to play for Samoa stems from his maternal connection to the Pacific island nation—his mother, Lote, was Samoan. Reflecting his cultural heritage, he will compete under his full given names and chiefly title: Leaupepe Luteru Ross Poutoa Lote Taylor.

Now 41, Taylor took on the call from his friend and former New Zealand teammate Tarun Nethula, who is involved in Samoan cricket, to join their squad. Samoa is set to face Papua New Guinea for a coveted qualification spot at the T20 World Cup scheduled to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka next year .

In a quoted remark to the Stuff news website, Taylor playfully acknowledged his age but emphasized he remains fit enough to contribute on the field: “I’m no spring chicken but I’m sure I’m still fit enough to run around the boundary.”
This unexpected comeback not only boosts ’s Samoacricketing prospects in the region but also highlights Taylor’s enduring passion for the game and his commitment to supporting and giving back to his cultural roots through sport.

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