New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor is all set to achieve a unique milestone as it will be his 100th Test when he will play in the first Test against India in Wellington, starting this Friday. He will also become the first cricketer ever to play 100 internationals in all three formats of the game.
The 35-year old is nearing to his retirement age, but he has vowed to keep on playing and score runs for New Zealand. Taylor expressed his happiness to make a record that someone has not made before and also wished that more players join this club in the coming future.
“It’s nice to start the club. I’m sure over the next few years, there’s going to be a lot more to join in,” he said.
The experienced campaigner also revealed that after last year’s Cricket World Cup had briefly crossed his mind, but he now feels more energized and targets to play the 2023 World Cup.
“I still feel like I’m good enough and have a lot more to offer this team, both on and off the field. I’m still as hungry as ever to score runs. I love playing cricket, first and foremost. It’s not a job,” he added.
Taylor is currently New Zealand’s leading run-scorer in Tests and ODIs, with 40 centuries across the two formats, more than any other Black Cap. But he had a tough phase in his career back in 2012 including two losing appearances in World Cup finals and being dropped as captain in 2012.
But the dynamic batsman never lost his hope and kept on fighting for his spot and explained how he managed to keep his place intact in the team.
“It’s not necessarily the runs you get in the good times, it’s how you deal with the failures that shape you as a person. Sometimes the negative things make you harder and stronger and more resilient. That’s what you need to be, to be a Test player,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Indian captain Virat Kohli also had words of praise for Taylor. The duo played together for Royal Challengers Bangalore once in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“He’s one guy who has made an impact a lot of times for New Zealand. I’ve been fortunate enough to play with him at RCB — lovely guy… he really understands the game very well, that’s the only way you can play for so long across all formats,” Kohli said.
