New Zealand’s experienced middle-order batsman dismissed rumours doing the rounds over his potential retirement from international cricket. The 37-year-old said he has no intention to quit at this stage and is happy to continue as long as he can for New Zealand.
Speculations around Taylor’s retirement have been rife, with the right-hand batter enduring a decline in his returns at the Test level since the start of Black Caps’ World Test Championship campaign.
New Zealand’s highest Test run-getter, has compiled only 469 runs from his 17 innings in the WTC cycle so far at a measly average of 31.26. However, the earnest right-hander will have a chance to stand resurrected when New Zealand take on England in a forthcoming two-Test series ahead of the ultimate WTC final against India.
In an interaction with New Zealand-based website RNZ, Taylor spoke at length about the talks of his retirement and quashed suggestions that he is about to hang his boots after the coming England tour.
“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,”
“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. 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. 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,” he added.
Taylor said.
Taylor is pleased that his presence in the international arena is breaking a stereotype long held about New Zealand cricketers, who have tended to retire quite young in the game’s history. He said he hopes that the likes of captain Kane Williamson and other players play for as long as he has for the Kiwis.
“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,”
he added.
