This New Zealand legend ends retirement to play for Samoa in T20 World Cup Qualifiers

Cricket fans were in for a surprise when Ross Taylor, one of New Zealand’s all-time greats, announced he was coming out of retirement. But instead of donning the Black Caps jersey again, the 41-year-old will represent Samoa, his mother’s homeland, in the East Asia Pacific Qualifier 2025 for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

In an emotional Instagram post, Taylor said: “This is more than just a return to the game I love, it’s a huge honour to represent my heritage, culture, villages, and family.”

Eligible Through Heritage

Taylor, who holds a Samoan passport through his mother, became eligible to switch national teams after completing the required three-year stand-down period since his last match for New Zealand in April 2022. He has often spoken about his Samoan roots and credited Kilikiti, a traditional form of Pacific Island cricket, for shaping his early love for the game.

Guided by Friendship and Legacy

Samoa’s head coach, former New Zealand cricketer Tarun Nethula, played a key role in persuading Taylor to join the squad. On September 5, Taylor was officially named in Samoa’s team for the qualifiers starting October 8 in Oman.

A Storied Career Continues

Taylor retires as New Zealand’s most-capped international cricketer, with 112 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 102 T20Is, scoring over 18,000 runs. He was also part of the historic side that lifted the World Test Championship in 2021.

Even after retiring in 2022, Taylor remained active in franchise and legends leagues. As he put it himself, he is still fit enough to run around.