Former New Zealand batter Ross Taylor has officially ended his retirement and will represent Samoa in the Asia-East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier. The 41-year-old cricketing legend will not wear the BlackCaps jersey again but will honor his Samoan roots. The qualifying event begins in Oman on October 8, 2025, with Samoa chasing a historic T20 World Cup entry.
Taylor shared the news through Instagram, confirming his comeback to international cricket with a heartfelt post. “Coming out of retirement. It’s official – I’m proud to announce that I’ll be pulling on the blue and representing Samoa in cricket. 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,” said Taylor.
He further added: “I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to the game, join the squad, and share my experience on and off the field. Time to get back out there – #685 to the world! CHEEEHOOO.”
Why Ross Taylor Can Transform Samoa’s T20 World Cup Journey
Taylor is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s greatest batters. He scored over 18,000 international runs across formats, including 1,909 in T20Is at a strike rate of 122.37. His experience from seven IPL seasons and five CPL seasons adds immense value to Samoa’s campaign.
According to the ICC, Taylor is eligible to represent Samoa due to his Samoan passport, obtained through his mother’s heritage. Since his last match for New Zealand in April 2022, he has served the mandatory three-year stand-down period required by ICC rules.
With Taylor in the squad, Samoa hopes to boost its chances of qualifying for the T20 World Cup 2026, which will be hosted in India and Sri Lanka. His presence not only strengthens the batting lineup but also provides leadership to young Samoan cricketers.
Samoa Squad for the Asia-East Asia-Pacific Qualifier
Caleb Jasmat (c), Ross Taylor, Darius Visser, Sean Solia, Daniel Burgess, Douglas Finau, Sam French, Kurtis Hynam-Nyberg, Ben Mailata, Noah Mead, Solomon Nash, Samson Sola, Fereti Sululoto, Saumani Tiai, Ili Tugaga
Ross Taylor’s return brings global attention to Samoa’s cricket ambitions. His blend of experience, heritage pride, and international success may inspire Samoa’s rise in world cricket.
Stay tuned for all the latest Cricket news, match highlights, player analysis and viral moments!