Ross Taylor Cuts Short Sussex Stint Due to Family Reason 1

Ross Taylor has cut short his stint with Sussex, returning to New Zealand due to family reasons. The New Zealand star had captained the English club in all 13 of their games in the NatWest T20 Blast this season, leading them to the fourth place in the South Group points table with four wins.

Sussex’s NatWest T20 Blast overseas player and captain, Ross Taylor, has returned home to New Zealand this morning for family reasons. As a result, Ross will miss Sussex Sharks’ match against Essex Eagles at The 1st Central County Ground, Hove on Friday 18th August (7.00pm start),” the club’s official statement stated.

Sussex coach Mark Davis admitted that losing Taylor is a ‘big blow’ for the team and wished the batsman and his family all the best.

“It’s a blow to us to lose Ross,” Davis said. “However, that gives somebody else an opportunity to represent the club in a very important game on Friday night.

“We wish Ross and his family all the best,” he added.

While Taylor’s vast wealth of experience will be surely missed by Sussex, the right-handed batsman could not perform as per his reputation this season. In 13 games, he managed only 177 runs from 12 innings at an average of 19 and a strike-rate of 112. Wicketkeeper Ben Brown, who is the captain of the Championship side, will replace Taylor for Sussex’s one remaining game in the group stage, against Essex at Hove on Friday night.

Meanwhile, it is still not clear whether Taylor will be available if Sussex qualifies for the playoffs. A press release from the club said: 

“A decision has not yet been taken on whether Ross will return should the side qualify for next week’s Blast quarter-finals”.