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Ross Taylor quashes retirement rumours, says India better prepared for WTC due to suspension of IPL

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One of the most experienced campaigners of New Zealand cricket, Ross Taylor has quashed all the rumours surrounding his retirement. In an interview with RNZ, Taylor said that age is just a number and he feels that he has plenty to offer to New Zealand cricket. He is also hopeful of changing the early retirement tradition in New Zealand cricket. 

Taylor conceded the fact that he did contemplate retirement after the conclusion of the 2019 World Cup after New Zealand narrowly missed out on winning their maiden World Cup. 

However, he didn’t proceed with the decision as he felt that he still had a lot of value to add to the New Zealand unit. The 37-year-old middle-order batsman who is on his 7th tour of England still feels that he has some substantial amount of cricket left in him. 

"I feel like age is just a number and as long as you’re still enjoying it and feel like you’re good enough and can contribute to the team on and off the field," Taylor was quoted as saying by RNZ. 

"I guess once you start getting into your thirties you start thinking about it. I always had the number 35 in mind, I don’t know why, I think probably because of the 2019 World Cup,” he further added. 

Taylor who has been an integral member of the New Zealand set-up across formats added that despite 35 being in his mind at some point in his career, presently he doesn't have a fixed age in mind and hopes to continue until he is enjoying the game. Taylor also added that retirement will come once he feels the time is right to go away from the game. 

"But I didn’t think just because it was a World Cup that it was time to retire. I haven’t got a number in mind. Everyone I talk to says you’re a long-time retired and you know when the right time is,” Taylor said. 

"I’m sure those things will pop up but when I do pull stumps I’m sure it’ll feel right and it’ll be the right time for me,” the hard-hitting batsman added. 

Not many players from New Zealand have gone onto play till the age of 37. However, Taylor is confident of sustaining the pressure and hopeful of shrugging it off to his teammates like Kane Williamson. 

"It’s nice for me to break the mould of New Zealanders who traditionally retire young and hopefully in the years to come the likes of Kane [Williamson] and co are still going at 37 as long as they still enjoy it and aren’t just playing for the sake of it.

"I think it’s better for the game and better for the youngsters coming through that they can learn off somebody,” he added. 

New Zealand will play a couple of Tests against England in the lead-up to the ICC World Test Championship final against India starting from 18th June at Southampton. Taylor feels that the suspension of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League has been a blessing in disguise for India as it will help them prepare better for the Test Championship final. 

"We know they'll be a lot more conditioned, their bowlers will get their loads up... playing these two Test matches against England gives us a slight advantage but this Indian team have been number one in the world for a long time and had a lot of success over here,” concluded Taylor. 

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