mobanmarketWellington: New Zealand’s Ross Taylor will celebrate his 100th test in the series-opener against India this week and the veteran batsman says he has no intention of winding down his international career as he nears his 36th birthday.
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Taylor became New Zealand’s leading run-scorer in tests when he surpassed Stephen Fleming’s career tally of 7,172 against Australia in Sydney last month.
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In front of home fans in Wellington on Friday, he will become the nation’s fourth cricketer to play 100 tests after Fleming, Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum.
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He will also become the first cricketer to reach the milestone in all three major formats.
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Far from seeing the finish line for his career, Taylor said he had been urged to reset his goals in a congratulatory call from former New Zealand test opener and coach John Wright.
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“He said it was a nice time to relax, but at the same time nice to rejig those goals,” Taylor said in comments published by New Zealand’s Stuff media on Tuesday.
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“Give yourself something to chase … Goals aren’t everything but they’re a nice reminder when your mind is going in different directions, to bring you back on track and give you a focus.” Taylor said he was keen to be in the frame for New Zealand’s bid for a maiden T20 World Cup title when the men’s tournament kicks off in Australia in October.
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He would also not rule out the next one-day World Cup in India in 2023, having played in the heart-breaking defeat to hosts England in last year’s title-decider.
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“First and foremost I want to get to next year – the Twenty20 World Cup and then the home summer – and then I’ll have a good idea on how I’m placed at the end of next summer.
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“Whether there is still a drive, whether I’m good enough, whether I’m fit enough, and whether I deserve my spot in the side. If I can tick all those, then definitely 2023 is an option.” It will be a party atmosphere for Taylor at the Basin Reserve on Friday, with New Zealand Cricket offering dozens of free tickets for his extended family on the weekend of his sister’s wedding.
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“You always want to do well, and first and foremost the game is more important,” he said.
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“At the same time you can put extra pressure on yourself.
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“You’ve just got to go out and enjoy it and take it as another game. Hopefully I can contribute in any way I can.”
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