Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor known for clean striking and remarkable leg-side play, which crucial for New Zealand national cricket team. This article, will going beyond his numerous records and stats, but also his personal story and controversies.

Ross Taylor: The Legend of New Zealand Team’s Former Captain

Ross Taylor, a former New Zealand international cricketer and ex-captain of the national team, has had an illustrious career spanning various formats and leagues.

His journey in cricket is marked by significant achievements and contributions to New Zealand’s cricketing history.

Early Career

Taylor was born on March 8, 1984, in Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand. He was introduced to cricket by his father and grew up playing both traditional cricket and kilikiti, a Samoan variant of the game.

Taylor’s early cricketing journey included playing for Central Districts in domestic cricket and representing New Zealand in Under-19 cricket.

He made his senior debut in January 2003 in a State Shield one-day match against Canterbury and his first-class debut later that month.

Domestic and T20 Franchise Career

Taylor’s domestic career has been extensive, playing for Central Districts since the 2002/03 season. He has also played club cricket in England and participated in various T20 leagues around the world. His T20 franchise career includes stints with:

• Royal Challengers Bangalore
• Delhi Daredevils
• Rajasthan Royals
• Pune Warriors India
• Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel
• St Lucia Zouks
• Sussex, Nottinghamshire
• Jamaica Tallawahs
• Middlesex
• Guyana Amazon Warriors

International Career

Taylor made his international debut for New Zealand in a one-day match against the West Indies in March 2006.

He quickly established himself as a key player for New Zealand, known for his clean striking and ability to play through the leg side.

Taylor’s international career is highlighted by numerous milestones, including becoming the first cricketer to play in 100 matches in all three formats of international cricket.

He was also a part of the New Zealand team that won the 2019–2021 ICC World Test Championship.

Career Across Formats

• Test Cricket: Taylor’s Test career is marked by 112 matches, scoring 7,683 runs at an average of 44.66. His highest score in Tests is 290.
• ODI Cricket: In ODIs, Taylor played 236 matches, scoring 8,607 runs at an average of 47.55. He has 21 centuries in this format.
• T20 Internationals: Taylor appeared in 102 T20I matches, scoring 1,909 runs with a top score of 63.

Ross Taylor’s Retirement from International Cricket

Ross Taylor, one of New Zealand’s most celebrated cricketers, announced his retirement from international cricket, marking the end of an illustrious career that spanned over a decade.

Ross Taylor made the announcement of his retirement from international cricket, setting a timeline for his final games in the international arena.

His retirement was scheduled around the two-Test match series against Bangladesh, which commenced on January 1, 2022. The second Test, starting on January 9, 2022, in Christchurch, was part of his farewell series.

Taylor’s last international game was set for April 2022, allowing him to play his final matches in front of home fans and receive a fitting send-off for his remarkable career.

Through Cricket Records List of Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor, a stalwart of New Zealand cricket, has left an indelible mark on the game with his remarkable records in Tests, ODIs, and T20s.

His career, spanning from 2006 to 2022, is a testament to his skill and consistency. Here’s a detailed look at some of his significant records:

Top Records

Test Matches

– 5th Most runs in an innings (by batting position) with a score of 290.
– Achieved two unbeaten fifties in a match.
– 3rd Most innings before first duck (58 innings).
– 6th Most fours in an innings (43 fours).
– Unique record of outstanding bowling analyses in an innings (1/0).
– Achieved 5000 runs and 50 fielding dismissals.

One-Day Internationals (ODIs)

– 3rd Most runs in an innings (by batting position) with a score of 181*.
– 2nd in Hundreds in consecutive innings (3 hundreds).
– 3rd in Fifties in consecutive innings (6 fifties).
– 6th Fastest to 8000 runs (203 innings).
– 2nd Most catches in an innings (4 catches).
– Achieved 5000 runs and 50 fielding dismissals.

Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)

– 29th Most runs in career with a total of 1909 runs.
– 11th Most catches in career with 46 catches.
– 18th Most matches in career with 102 matches.

Other Notable Records

Combined Test, ODI, and T20I Records:

– 20th Most runs in career across formats with 18199 runs.
– 3rd Most catches in career across formats with 351 catches.
– 21st Most matches in career across formats with 450 matches.
– 40th Most player-of-the-match awards across formats with 26 awards.

Notable Achievements

• Taylor was the leading run-scorer for New Zealand in Test and ODI cricket at the time of his retirement.
• He played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s journey to the finals in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.
• Taylor has the distinction of scoring centuries against all Test-playing nations in ODIs.
• He holds the record for the fastest Test century by a New Zealander.

Ross Taylor: A Glimpse into the Family Life of a Cricketing Legend

Ross Taylor, a renowned name in New Zealand cricket, has not only made a mark with his exceptional skills on the field but also has a rich family heritage that has shaped his life and career.

Here’s a comprehensive look into Ross Taylor’s family background, offering insights into his roots and personal life.

Family Roots and Early Life

Ross Taylor is of part-Samoan descent, inheriting his Samoan ancestry from his mother’s side. This diverse heritage has played a significant role in shaping his identity and values.

Taylor’s parents have been his pillars of strength and support throughout his journey. His father, Ross Taylor Sr., and mother, Emily Taylor, have been instrumental in his upbringing and cricketing career.

Growing up, Ross was not alone in his journey. He has two brothers, with whom he shared his childhood and early experiences in sports.

Personal Life and Relationships

Ross Taylor is happily married to Victoria Jayne Brown. The couple tied the knot on June 25, 2011, and since then, they have been a strong support system for each other.

Together, they are blessed with three children, adding joy and warmth to their family life.

Apart from his illustrious cricket career, Taylor has diverse interests. He once aspired to be a farmer, a dream that reflects his connection with nature and the outdoors.

Behind the Wealth: Ross Taylor’s Net Worth

Ross Taylor, a prominent former cricketer from New Zealand, has garnered significant wealth throughout his successful career. Estimates of Taylor’s net worth in 2023 to be around $10 million..

Sallary

Taylor’s income primarily originates from his cricket career in many prestigious tournament and various brand endorsements and sponsorships.

During his illustrious career, he has played for several teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), earning substantial amounts each year.

For instance, his salary with the Delhi Daredevils was approximately ₹20,000,000 per year, and his total earnings from the IPL over his career amounted to about approximately ₹183,097,000.

Endorsement

In addition to his cricketing salary, Ross Taylor has been associated with bat sponsorships, notably with the English brand Gunn and Moore, which further contributed to his financial prosperity.

9 Controversies Involving Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor, the esteemed New Zealand cricketer, has had his fair share of controversies throughout his illustrious career.

These incidents have not only been pivotal in his professional journey but have also drawn significant attention in the cricketing world.

Here’s a detailed look at some of the key controversies involving Ross Taylor, complete with timelines:

1. Allegation of Physical Abuse by a Rajasthan Royals Owner (2011)

In his book “Ross Taylor: Black & White“, Taylor claimed that he was slapped three to four times by one of the owners of the IPL team Rajasthan Royals.

This incident reportedly occurred after Taylor was dismissed for a duck against Kings XI Punjab in the 2011 IPL season.

The Rajasthan Royals, led by Shane Warne, had been set a target of 195 by the Punjab team but fell short.

Taylor expressed his discomfort with the situation, noting that such an incident would be unlikely in many professional sporting environments.

2. Captaincy Ambush in New Zealand Cricket (2012)

Taylor was unexpectedly removed as captain of the New Zealand cricket team in 2012, a move he described as an “ambush” by New Zealand Cricket and then-new coach Mike Hesson.

The announcement was made just before a test in Sri Lanka, with Brendon McCullum named as his successor.

Taylor expressed disappointment with how New Zealand Cricket handled the situation. He later received an apology, which he felt was insincere.

3. Alleged Racial Abuse During World Test Championship Final (2021)

During the World Test Championship final in Southampton, Taylor was allegedly abused by fans.

Two fans were removed from the Rose Bowl after hurling abuse at the Black Caps, with some of the insults reportedly being racist and aimed at Taylor.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) acted upon receiving reports of the abuse, stating that such behavior would not be tolerated in cricket.

4. Gesture Controversy Against Pakistan (2018)

In an ODI against Pakistan, Taylor made a gesture that appeared to accuse spinner Mohammed Hafeez of an illegal bowling action.

This gesture sparked an immediate response from Pakistan’s captain and fans. Hafeez had a history with the issue, having been reported for an illegal delivery multiple times by the ICC.

5. New Zealand Cricket’s Apology for Captaincy Mess (2012)

Following the controversy over Taylor’s removal as captain, New Zealand Cricket publicly apologized for its poor handling of the situation.

The apology was seen as a response to the public discussion about the treatment Taylor received during the captaincy transition.

6. Controversy with R Ashwin’s Loud Appeal (2016)

During the first test against India at Kanpur, Ross Taylor was involved in a controversial moment with Indian spinner R Ashwin.

Ashwin appealed loudly for an LBW against Taylor, which was turned down by umpire Richard Kettleborough.

The delivery from Ashwin pitched outside off stump, spun sharply, and struck Taylor below the knee roll.

Despite a ferocious appeal, the umpire did not give Taylor out, a decision that was debated given the ball trajectory indicated by replays.

7. Barmy Army Sandpaper Stunt (2018)

In the wake of the Australia ball-tampering scandal, Ross Taylor was caught up in a prank by the Barmy Army. He inadvertently signed a piece of sandpaper handed to him by a fan.

The incident occurred during a test match between New Zealand and England at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. The Barmy Army’s prank was a humorous take on the Australian cricket team’s recent scandal.

Taylor, while signing memorabilia for fans, unknowingly signed the sandpaper, which was then dropped over the fence, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

8. Sarfraz Ahmed’s Reaction to Gesture (2018)

In the same ODI against Pakistan where Taylor made a gesture about Mohammad Hafeez’s bowling action, Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed slammed Taylor’s actions as “disgraceful.

Sarfraz criticized Taylor for questioning the legality of Hafeez’s action and argued that it was not Taylor’s place to make such gestures, calling it against the spirit of sportsmanship.

The incident led to a heated exchange on the field and discussions among the umpires, with Pakistan reportedly speaking to the match referee about Taylor’s conduct.

9. Legal Action Over Captaincy Claim (2013)

A report titled “The Taylor Affair” by John Parker, a former New Zealand batsman, alleged that Brendon McCullum played a role in the decision to remove Ross Taylor as captain during a tour of Sri Lanka.

Brendon McCullum threatened legal action against Parker unless he withdrew the claims. McCullum’s statement emphasized defending his integrity and ethics as a professional sportsman.

The controversy continued to linger as New Zealand prepared for their two-Test series in England, with the issue potentially heading to the courts.