Taylor pads up for 20th season with Stags
He might be retired from international cricket, but Black
Caps great Ross Taylor isn’t completely stepping away from the sport.
The 38-year-old, who ended his decorated New Zealand career at the end of last summer, will feature for the Central Stags in their Ford Trophy 50-over opener today. Taylor and the Stags take on the Otago Volts at Dunedin’s University Oval.
He has kept himself available for the Stags, indicating he will play in both white ball competitions for the side – his 20th domestic season.
Last summer, he broke the New Zealand record for the fastest century in The Ford Trophy, smashing his ton off just 49 balls at Pukekura Park en route to the 2022 grand final.
The Stags dropped only one match in their 10 rounds games last season, but the Auckland Aces got up in the final by eight wickets to deny them the trophy. ‘‘It was good to make the final last year, but hopefully we’ll go one better this year,’’ Taylor said.
He had been in the nets with CD over recent weeks, since returning from India where he played in a new T20 Masters league, featuring a number of former Black Caps.
‘‘I haven’t played for CD for a while after the Black Caps’ retirement, so it’s nice to be back playing cricket in New Zealand again, and with a lot of teammates whom I’ve played a lot of cricket with.
‘‘One-day cricket was probably my best format in international cricket, so it’s nice to be playing some white-ball and Ford Trophy.’’
Brett Randell will make his List A one-day debut for Central, having previously represented Northern Districts. Swing bowler Seth Rance and spinner Jayden Lennox appear on the squad list for the first time this season. Lennox is one of two left-arm spinners in the squad alongside Black Cap Ajaz Patel.