Ross Taylor comeback with Samoa cricket is now official, adding a new chapter to his legendary cricket journey. The former New Zealand batter, who amassed over 18,000 international runs and lifted the ICC World Test Championship, has decided to represent Samoa at the age of 41.
Taylor admitted that his mother’s encouragement during her illness made him accept the chance to play for Samoa. He retired from New Zealand duty in April 2022, and after the three-year stand-down period, he qualifies to represent a second international side.
How the Samoa offer reached Taylor
The first approach came through Taylor’s friend, Murphy Su’a, who also plays for Samoa. At first, Taylor was reluctant.
“On a phone call, Murphy said, ‘Samoa qualified in August for a T20 World Cup Qualifier (in Oman, in 2025), would you be interested in playing?’ And my initial thoughts were: ‘Thanks but no thanks,’ if I’m honest. I’d had my time. I was picking up my daughter (from school) at the time, and then, I walked. I told him I was probably a five per cent chance of playing, and by the time I’d walked from the car to pick her up at her classroom I was at 25 per cent. I rang him and I said I’m at 25 per cent,” Taylor told the ICC.
Mother’s wish turned hesitation into commitment
That hesitation shifted when Taylor spoke with his mother, Lote, who was suffering from kidney failure.
“My mum at the time was sick. She had kidney failure, so I had the opportunity to run it past her before she passed away. She just said: ‘Up to you, son. You do it.’”
With his Samoan passport, inherited through his mother’s heritage, Taylor will now help the team’s campaign in the 2025 T20 World Cup Qualifier in Oman.
He also credited Kilikiti, the Pacific island version of cricket, as a key part of his sporting upbringing. The Ross Taylor comeback with Samoa cricket is both a tribute to his mother and a boost to Samoa’s global cricket ambitions.
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