2023 World Cup is a Long Way Away: Ross Taylor
Feb 18, 2020 at 2:53 PM
Ross Taylor is one of the finest batsmen New Zealand has ever produced. The experienced campaigner has been playing a fearless brand of cricket for over 14 years. He is one of the very few Kiwi cricketers who has been consistent across formats. Taylor made his ODI debut against West Indies on March 1, 2006, and there was no looking back since then.
He established himself as one of the best batsmen in the world. Recently, the 35-year-old Ross Taylor was named the Player of the Series against India for aggregating 194 runs in the three innings (73*, 109*, 12) and was dismissed just once which pretty much sums up his sheer dominance even at this age.
Meanwhile, Taylor hasn’t ruled out the possibility of playing the 2023 ODI World Cup tournament while also adding that his form, fitness and motivation level at the end of next year will decide whether he remains in contention to play the major tournament.
“I haven’t ruled it (2023 World Cup) out but I still think it’s a long way away. First and foremost I want to get to next year – the Twenty20 World Cup and then the home summer – and then I’ll have a good idea on how I’m placed at the end of next summer. Whether there is still a drive, whether I’m good enough, whether I’m fit enough, and whether I deserve my spot in the side. If I can tick all those, then definitely 2023 is an option,” the senior player Ross Taylor was quoted as saying by ‘stuff.co.nz’.
The flamboyant batsman also added that despite his profound interest to continue the sport, he won’t put himself under too much pressure.
“You always want to do well and first and foremost the game is more important. At the same time, you can put extra pressure on yourself. You’ve just got to go out and enjoy it and take it as another game. Hopefully, I can contribute in any way I can,” he said.
Ross Taylor credits his late mentor Martin Crowe for motivating him:
Another record awaits Ross Taylor as the latter will become the first cricketer in the world to complete 100 games across three international formats when he walks out for the first Test match against India which is scheduled be played at Basin Reserve on February 21.
In the process, he will be joining Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum in the New Zealand Test 100-club. Taylor also credited his mentor the late Martin Crowe for motivating him through and through.
“He (Crowe) saw something in me that I never did. I was pretty happy to play one Test; to play 100 Tests is pretty special. There’s still a game to play and contribute to, but at the same time you’ve got to acknowledge the achievement and the fact a lot of people helped you out along the way,” he added.