Sussex skipper Taylor returns home for family reasons
SUSSEX T20 skipper Ross Taylor has returned to New Zealand for “family reasons”.
Taylor’s wife is due to give birth to their third child later this month.
Head coach Mark Davis, said: “It’s a blow to us to lose Ross. However, that gives somebody else an opportunity to represent the club in a very important game on Friday night.
“We wish Ross and his family all the best.”
Sussex will bid to secure a quarter-final place when they face Essex tonight (Friday) with wicketkeeper Ben Brown, who captains the Championship side, taking the reins at Hove.
Taylor, who had been in Hove in 2016 as well, has not been in the best form this season though with only 177 runs from 12 innings at an average of 19 and a strike-rate of 112.
A statement from the club said: “A decision has not yet been taken on whether Ross will return should the side qualify for next week’s Blast quarter-finals.”
It is also unclear whether Sussex will seek a replacement should Taylor not be available and the county reach the final eight.
Taylor has a wealth of international experience, having featured in 81 Test matches for the Black Caps, as well as 190 ODIs and 73 T20s. His best score in Test cricket is 290 against Australia in 2015.
The 33-year-old has led the Sharks in all 13 Blast fixtures they have been involved with, three of those ending in a no result.