New Zealand legend Ross Taylor comes out of retirement to play for Samoa; eyes T20 World Cup 2026 in India

Ross Taylor is the World Test Championship (WTC) 2019–2021 winner with New Zealand and hung up his boots after his last match in April 2022.

Four years after bidding farewell to international cricket, Ross Taylor is picking up the bat again. The New Zealand great has confirmed he will represent Samoa, his mother’s homeland, in the Asia-East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup Qualifier in Oman this October, with one eye firmly on next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

15 out of the 20 teams for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have been confirmed so far. The remaining five teams will be joining from the Asia–EAP Regional Qualifiers and the Africa Qualifiers. Samoa, alongside eight other teams, is also part of the qualifiers, Other teams include Nepal, Oman and UAE.

How Ross Taylor can represent Samoa?

Taylor, now 41, last played for the Black Caps in April 2022. Under ICC rules, players must serve a three-year stand-down period before switching allegiance from a Full Member to an Associate nation. With that window now complete, and holding a Samoan passport through his maternal heritage, Taylor is eligible to don Samoa’s colors for the first time.

For Taylor, this is more than a formality. “This is more than just a return to the game I love — it’s the huge honor to represent my heritage, culture, villages and family,” he said. “I always thought I’d contribute to Samoan cricket through coaching or gear donations. But being able to play again is something I’m really looking forward to.”

Samoa squad for Men’s T20 World Cup Asia–EAP Regional Final
Caleb Jasmat ©, 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 is the World Test Championship (WTC) 2019–2021 winner with New Zealand and hung up his boots after his last match in April 2022.