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Ross Taylor forgoes South Africa Tests to end career playing his favourite format against Australia

Ross Taylor, who announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Thursday, December 30th, 2021 said that he chose to play ODI cricket against Australia away from home as supposed Tests against South Africa at home because ODI is his favourite format and Australia one of his favourite places to play cricket. 

"The Australian series is really close and with quarantine and coming back, it's probably going to be one side that goes to Australia and the Test side will stay behind. That's what made the decision a lot easier. 

It would have been nice to play against South Africa, but Australia's a place I've always enjoyed ... and finishing my career playing one-day cricket which is probably my best format,” he was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. 

Talking about the timing of his retirement so close to the ODI World Cup in 2023, Taylor said, "It's the right time for me and my family. At the same time, I've still got some cricket to play. In an ideal world, I would have played and then [announced] it at the end, but at this level, you can't do that."

"It's something that I've thought about for a long time, it's not a decision I've made in the last couple of weeks. It's nice to have a bit of clarity and finish on your own terms. I think it's just the right time for me and my family," he added. 

Taylor, who became the first player in the world to play more than 100 games in all three formats, said that he was never sure about his Test cricket, but is very proud that he was able to mould his game and went on to represent his country in more than 100 Tests. 

"After my first Test series I thought that was me done, so I've done alright since then. I always thought I could play one-day cricket, I wasn't [100 per cent] on whether I'd be a good Test player or not, but I worked hard at that and I think that's probably my greatest achievement. 

I could have just smacked it and averaged 30-odd but I changed my game for the team, I don't think many people would have been able to move their game in that direction and I'm happy I made that decision,” he said. 

Taylor, who made his debut in March 2006 would bid goodbye to the game in April 2022 at the end of the New Zealand summer with three ODIs against a touring Netherlands side. In between then and now, he would play two Tests against Bangladesh and three ODIs against Australia.

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