In a remarkable twist to his glittering cricket career, former New Zealand great Ross Taylor is set to end his international retirement to don the colours of Samoa as the island nation aims to qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Ross Taylor, who retired from international cricket in 2022, has been named in Samoa’s squad for the Asia–East Asia-Pacific Qualifier, scheduled to begin on October 8 in Oman. The tournament serves as the final hurdle for Samoa to secure a historic berth at a men’s global ICC event.
He qualifies for Samoa through his mother’s heritage and his Samoan passport, and is eligible after completing the ICC’s three‑year stand‑down period since his last appearance for New Zealand.
“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,” Ross Taylor wrote on Instagram. “I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to the game, join the squad, and share my experience on and off the field.”
His inclusion significantly boosts Samoa’s hopes. With more than 18,000 international runs for New Zealand across formats, including 1,909 in T20Is at a strike rate of 122, the right‑hander brings not only pedigree but also invaluable experience. Ross Taylor has also scored nearly 5,000 runs in franchise cricket worldwide, further underlining his credentials.
The squad announcement follows Samoa’s impressive run in sub‑regional qualifiers. They now enter a nine‑team tournament featuring heavyweights such as Nepal, Oman, the UAE, Malaysia, Kuwait, and Qatar, with three World Cup spots up for grabs.
With Ross Taylor now in their ranks, Samoa’s bid to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka has gained fresh momentum, and a touch of star power.