Ross Taylor comes out of retirement four years after quitting, to play for new country

New Zealand cricket great Ross Taylor announced Friday that he is coming out of retirement, nearly four years after stepping away from the game, to help Samoa bid for a place at next year’s Twenty20 World Cup. The 41-year-old former Black Caps captain said it would be a 'huge honour' to represent the nation of his mother’s birth.

Taylor, who retired from international cricket in 2022 after a record-breaking career, played more matches for New Zealand than any other player - 112 Tests, 236 one-day internationals, and 102 T20 internationals. He is New Zealand’s second-highest run-scorer in Tests with 7,683 runs, trailing only Kane Williamson, and also sits second to Williamson with 19 Test centuries.

Taylor’s mother, Lote, was born in Samoa, and he will represent the Pacific nation under his full given names and chiefly title: Leaupepe Luteru Ross Poutoa Lote Taylor.


"It's official - I'm proud to announce that I'll be pulling on the blue and representing Samoa in cricket," Taylor said on social media platform Instagram.

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"This is more than just a return to the game I love, it's the huge honour to represent my heritage, culture, villages, and family.

"I'm excited for the opportunity to give back to the game, join the squad, and share my experience on and off the field."

Taylor, who made 450 appearances for New Zealand across all three formats, last wore the black jersey in early 2022. He became eligible to represent Samoa only in April, after completing the mandatory stand-down period required to switch international allegiances.

"It’s quite a powerful thing when players are asking you to come out of retirement and help them," Taylor told the Stuff news website. "I’m no spring chicken but I’m sure I’m still fit enough to run around the boundary."

Taylor is set to feature in the T20 World Cup Asia-Pacific qualifying series in Oman this October, where Samoa will face the hosts and Papua New Guinea in Group 3. The competition is divided into three groups of three teams, with the top two from each advancing to the Super Six stage. From there, the top three sides will secure spots at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.