New Zealand star batter Ross Taylor said he is “not sure” if he will have enough in his tank to represent New Zealand at next year’s T20 World Cup in India.
The ICC had postponed this year’s T20 World last week due to the COVID-19 pandemic and handed Australia the rights to host the 2022 edition. However, the governing body withheld India’s right to host the World Cup. World T20 2021.
Taylor, who became the first New Zealand player to play 100 T20Is in February this year during a series against India, will turn 37 when India hosts the 2021 T20 World Cup.
“Oh! I’m not sure,” said Taylor, who is currently in Trinidad for the month-long Caribbean Premier League (CPL), as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
“As you get older, things slow down a bit, but your training, experience, and your mind become even more important,” added the prolific batsman, who has so far scored more than 10,000 runs in limited cricket for New Zealand.
Taylor, who last participated in an ODI against Australia in March before the tour was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said it will be strange for everyone to play after such a long time.
“Yeah, it’s been a weird time. I haven’t been that long without playing cricket since I was in high school. So yeah, obviously, the isolation and all that other stuff is kind of weird, but it is what it is. “said the senior hitter, who will appear for the Guyana Amazon Warriors at the CPL beginning Aug. 18.
“You know it’s going to be strange for everyone in CPL. No one has played international cricket for a while, so everyone will be nervous, I’m sure. So training and the first few matches are very important.
“The atmosphere in Twenty20 cricket is a lot about what you play and we have the best crowds in that format. So, playing in front of nobody, but knowing that people at home will be watching us and cheering us on, it will be a little strange, but at the same time something we are going to get used to ”, he added.
Taylor would have to take more responsibility for the team, especially after the retirement of veteran Pakistani off-roader Shoaib Malik, who skipped the CPL for the upcoming T20I series against England.
“Shoaib Malik has a fantastic record, especially in T20 cricket and especially for Guyana as well. I think he has that anchor role and a role that I will also be looking for,” Taylor said.
“Every team is packed with quality spinners and we expect spin to play a big role and probably reverse swing throughout the tournament.
“Traditionally, here you spin a lot anyway, so how you play for purposes will be very important. Some of the best spinners in the world are here, and it will be a good test for us hitters in the future.”.
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