Bhubaneswar, Sept. 5 -- https://images.odishatv.in/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_0/recent_photo_1757084967.webp
Cricket fans were in for a surprise when Ross Taylor, one of New Zealand's all-time greats, announced he was coming out of retirement. But instead of donning the Black Caps jersey again, the 41-year-old will represent Samoa, his mother's homeland, in the East Asia Pacific Qualifier 2025 for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
In an emotional Instagram post, Taylor said: "This is more than just a return to the game I love, it's a huge honour to represent my heritage, culture, villages, and family."
Taylor, who holds a Samoan passport through his mother, became eligible to switch national teams after completing the required three-year stand-...