Former New Zealand superstar Ross Taylor, an ICC World Test Championship-winning batter, has ended his international retirement to answer the call of his heritage by representing Samoa in the final stages of their qualification campaign for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.
 |
| Image Credits: Sports Cafe |
Eligible through his Samoan roots, with his mother being Samoan, Taylor will don the blue jersey once more, bringing decades of elite cricket experience to an ambitious Associate nation. He officially becomes part of Samoa’s squad for the Asia-East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup Qualifier, set to begin in Oman on October 8, marking the last hurdle in the Pacific island nation’s drive to reach a men’s global event for the first time.
Reflecting on his return, Taylor described the move as deeply personal: more than a comeback, it is an opportunity to honour his heritage, culture, and family while giving back to the sport that has shaped him.
He joins other key figures in the squad, such as Darius Visser, who once struck 39 runs in a single T20I over, and Sean Solia. Samoa earned their place in the regional final by emerging victorious in their Sub Regional Qualifier, overcoming competition from Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Cook Islands.
Samoa now stand alongside regional peers like Papua New Guinea and Japan in a nine team battle against Oman, Nepal, Malaysia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and others, all hunting three coveted spots at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Taylor’s return is both a boost for Samoa’s on field credentials and a significant narrative for associate cricket, a bridge between elite legacy and emerging ambition.
