New Zealand cricket legend Ross Taylor bid an emotional goodbye to international cricket on April 4. After a 16 years cricketing stint, the 38-year-old legend played his last match against the Netherlands on Monday at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Taylor is one of the finest batters that Kiwis ever had and over the last 10 years, he had played a vital role in helping the Kiwis achieve success.
New Zealand legend Ross Taylor bid an emotional farewell after finishing a record-breaking 16-year international career ⬇️https://t.co/gKQXV9pHpQ
— ICC (@ICC) April 5, 2022
As the legend stepped on to play his final game, he grew emotional during the national anthem.
Many cricketing legends including Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Brendon McCullam, and Rahul Dravid, among others, heaped praise on the ex-New Zealand captain whose achievements are incomparable.
You’ve been a great ambassador of the game Ross! It was wonderful playing against you. The way you reinvented yourself over the years to adapt is an inspiration for all the young kids aspiring to be cricketers.
Heartiest congratulations on a fabulous career. pic.twitter.com/RpB62iuuD0
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 4, 2022
.@imVkohli pays tribute to @RossLTaylor who is playing his final game for New Zealand today.#RossTaylor #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/2bRYbiTJSD
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) April 4, 2022
Congrats mate @RossLTaylor
You left it better than you found it.
“Gather Ye..”
May the next stage be as great as the last. ❤️🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/I0gYIq9ubH— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) April 4, 2022
Taylor’s Last Match
In his farewell match, the Black Caps legend could manage to score 14 runs, however, Kiwis managed to register a comprehensive win of 115 runs against the Netherlands to clean sweep the ODI series 3-0.
The star batter was welcomed to the field with a guard of honor by the Netherlands and the crowd present at the Hamilton ahead of his final match. However, in his farewell match, the Black Caps legend could manage to score 14 runs, however, Kiwis managed to register a comprehensive win of 115 runs against the Netherlands to clean sweep the ODI series 3-0.
Ross Taylor was in tears during the New Zealand anthem – he is playing his final International match for New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/Y4oxmYQlOd
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 4, 2022
After the historic win, Taylor was also honored with a special presentation and the match also marked his 45th appearance for his team.
In the post-match presentation ceremony, Taylor thanked his wife, parents, family members, teammates, and coaches who had helped him in his 16-year long career and he went on to say that he couldn’t have asked for a better place to play his last game
Some Facts About Ross Taylor
Congratulations on your unforgettable career @RossLTaylor. You finish as an all-time @BLACKCAPS great and will continue to inspire future generations through your talent, hard work and dedication.
Fa'afetai lava, Luteru Ross Poutoa Lote Taylor pic.twitter.com/JwuPjURhj0
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) April 4, 2022
The achievements of the right-handed batter know no bar as he is the highest run-scorer for the Black Caps in both ODI and Test format (8,607 and 7,683) respectively. He had also scored 1909 runs in 102 T2OiS matches and all these records make him a successful international cricketer. The veteran also has 40 international centuries and 93 half-centuries added to his cap.
The cricketing masterclass has also got the opportunity to captain his team in 13 Test matches. Taylor has played a major role in improving the performance of the team and has clearly been the backbone of the team which now stands as World Test Champions. New Zealand legend got the chance the play his first ODI in 2006 and it was in 2007 when he made his Test debut.
