Taylor moves finish line further away

Black Caps batsman Ross Taylor gave his side a boost ahead of their Twenty20 series againstwest Indies after the 36-year-old said he hoped to prolong his career through to the next one-day World Cup in India in 2023.

Taylor had said earlier this year he would probably have a better idea about his plans after this season.

However, the novel coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of Newzealand’s mid-year tours and prompted organisers to reschedule the Twenty20 World Cup, which had been due to be held in Australia in October.

That enforced break had helped him recharge and take a fresh look at his goals, he said.

“You’ve got to have short-term goals and long-term goals and the one-day Worldcup is definitely on the radar,” Taylor said.

“It doesn’tmean I willmake it, but it’s definitely one ofmygoals.”

But with the tournament being pushed back until later in 2023, Taylor acknowledged it might be out of reach.

“(It) was going to be a stretch . . . at the best of times, when it was February and March,” he said.

“Andnowthe World Cup has been dragged out to October and November ‘23, it’s another six or seven months to hang around.”

Newzealand’s highest test and one-day runs scorer, Taylor should achieve another milestone this season by becoming the most country’s most capped player.

Former captaindaniel Vettori played 437 international matches for Newzealand, including 112 tests, 291 one-dayers and 34 Twenty20 games. Taylor has played 433 internationals, including 101 tests, 232 ODIS and 100 T20s.

“I was really happy to play one or two games fornewzealand,” he said.

“I’ve still got to get there first, but mymentor, Martincrowe, always used to say records are meant to be broken for the next guy tocome beat.”

Newzealand playwest Indies in the opening T20 international at Eden Park tomorrow before two games in Hamilton and then a twotest series.

The Blackcaps also havehome series against Pakistan, Australia and Bangladesh this summer.