Former New Zealand cricket captain Ross Taylor has officially come out of retirement to play for Samoa, marking a new and significant chapter in his career. The legendary batter announced the news on social media, confirming his place in the Samoan squad for the upcoming Asia-East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup 2026 qualifier, which is set to take place in Oman starting on October 8.
The nine-team qualifier will see Samoa compete in Group C alongside hosts Oman and Papua New Guinea (PNG). The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
An Emotional Announcement
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Taylor shared his excitement, saying: “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 a huge honour to represent my heritage, culture, villages, and family. I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to the game, join the squad, and share my experience on and off the field.”
Taylor, who holds a Samoan passport through his mother’s heritage, is eligible to represent the team after completing the mandatory three-year “cooling-off period” required by the ICC. The 41-year-old last played for New Zealand in 2022. Between 2006 and 2022, Taylor had a remarkable career, playing 112 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 102 T20Is. He remains New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer in ODIs with 8,607 runs and is second overall behind Kane Williamson. Widely regarded as one of the finest players to have represented the Blackcaps, his return is expected to bring invaluable experience and depth to Samoa’s lineup.
Other Key Names in the Squad
Taylor will be joined by Sean Solia, an experienced domestic cricketer from Auckland, and Darius Visser, who is known for his power-hitting. Together, the trio is expected to add significant firepower to Samoa’s batting order as they compete for a spot on the global stage.
