New Zealand icon Ross Taylor ends retirement to make an international comeback for Samoa in T20 World Cup regional qualifiers

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New Zealand cricket legend Ross Taylor has announced his sensational return to international cricket, but with a remarkable twist – the 41-year-old will represent Samoa instead of his former homeland in the upcoming T20 World Cup regional qualifiers. This dramatic comeback marks a significant moment in cricket history as one of New Zealand’s greatest batter switches allegiances to honour his Pacific Island heritage.

The former New Zealand captain made his announcement official on Friday, September 5, 2025, after being named in Samoa’s 15-man squad for the Asia-East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup 2026 qualifier in Oman. Taylor’s eligibility to represent Samoa stems from his mother’s heritage, as he holds a Samoan passport and has completed the mandatory three-year cooling-off period since his last appearance for New Zealand in April 2022.

“It’s official – I’m proud to announce that I’ll be pulling on the blue and representing Samoa in cricket, This is more than just a return to the game I love – it’s the huge honour to represent my heritage, culture, villages, and family, Taylor wrote on his Instagram account. The veteran batter, who will compete under his full Samoan title as Leaupepe Luteru Ross Poutoa Lote Taylor, expressed genuine excitement about giving back to the Polynesian community.

Taylor’s mother, Naoupu Lote-Taylor, is originally from Saluafata on the island of Upolu in Samoa. The connection runs deep, as Taylor carries the hereditary Samoan language title of “leaupepe” from the village of Fasito’o Uta. His decision represents more than just a career move – it’s a cultural homecoming that could significantly boost Samoa’s World Cup qualification prospects.

A post shared by Ross Taylor (@rossltaylor3)

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The addition of Taylor to Samoa’s squad provides substantial experience and batting prowess to a team already featuring exciting talent. Joining Taylor is Auckland all-rounder Sean Solia, another player with New Zealand domestic cricket experience who returns to the Samoan setup after seven years. Solia, who has played for Auckland since 2016 and represented Samoa in the 2018 East Asia-Pacific Region Qualifier, brings valuable all-round capabilities to the squad.

The Samoan team boasts one of cricket’s most explosive batters in Darius Visser, who entered the record books in spectacular fashion during August 2024’s East Asia-Pacific qualifier. Visser smashed six sixes in a single over, accumulating 39 runs and breaking Yuvraj Singh‘s 17-year-old record of 36 runs in an over. His remarkable 132 not out off 62 balls against Vanuatu comprised 75.86% of Samoa’s total, setting another T20I record.

The squad, led by captain Caleb Jasmat, reflects a strong New Zealand connection, with former Black Cap Jeet Raval serving as assistant coach to Tarun Nethula, who also represented New Zealand in five ODIs. This experienced coaching setup, combined with Taylor’s mentorship, positions Samoa as a genuine contender in the qualifying tournament.

The tournament structure presents Samoa with a realistic path to World Cup qualification. Nine teams are divided into three groups of three, with Samoa placed in Group 3 alongside hosts Oman and Papua New Guinea. The top two teams from each group advance to the Super Six stage, where the top three finishers secure their spots at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Taylor’s impressive international career statistics demonstrate the caliber of player Samoa has acquired. Over 16 years representing New Zealand, he accumulated 18,199 runs across all formats, including 7,683 runs in 112 Tests at an average of 44.67, and 8,607 runs in 236 ODIs at 47.55. His T20I record includes 1,909 runs from 102 matches, making him New Zealand’s fifth-highest T20I run-scorer despite last playing the format in November 2020.

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