Ross Taylor retires
-
After watching the presser I'm less confident it was completely his decision.
He will play these two tests to bring to an end his test career, then will travel to Australia in a team without the test players for 3 ODIs (and presumably the T20), complete MIQ, then wait a month for three more ODIs against the Netherlands. Hardly the stuff of fairytales.
If given the choice I'm not sure why he would prefer to play with a B-team in overseas and do MIQ than a home test series against South Africa (even in the press conference he said he wanted to play at the Basin again). Seems like a negotiated exit from the Test side IMO, he still will be playing for CD going forward, looking to play county and franchise cricket etc...
The only wild card is he potentially captains that side to Australia? Williamson, Latham and Southee all won't be there - no other obvious choices?
-
@victor-meldrew said in Ross Taylor retires:
@higgins said in Ross Taylor retires:
@chris-b Excuse me, I saw Glen Turner and Bruce Taylor both playing live so that in itself does not see them fall into the "or so old no-one has seen them play" category thus they are declared as eligible for selection! Similarly Gren and Jack Alabaster and to a lesser extent Geoff Howarth both also seen play live by myself, the former pair obviously well past his best by then.
Good point. Cricketers like Bruce Taylor & Bev Congdon played in an era when NZ cricket was almost 100% amateur, yet more than held their own against professional teams like Oz & England and were genuinely world class.
That said, t think an All Time Black Caps team would be dominated by players of the last 20 years or so like Rosco & Watling. Haven't followed cricket for a few years but for me it really has been a golden decade or so.
No question. Very, very few old timers had great records, they were the epitome of plucky triers. Not much more.
KW, Crowe and Taylor would make ANY Black Caps all time 3-5 as an example. No one else would come close.
-
@rotated said in Ross Taylor retires:
After watching the presser I'm less confident it was completely his decision.
It was Taylor that rang Stead to set this in motion so maybe a compromise of sorts.
“That’s a big thing that’s been going through my mind the last couple of weeks. The Australian series is really close and with quarantine and coming back, it’s probably going to be one side that goes to Australia and the test side will stay behind,” Taylor said. “That’s what made the decision a lot easier. It would have been nice to play against South Africa, but Australia’s a place I’ve always enjoyed… and finishing my career playing one-day cricket which is probably my best format.”
He is also going to continue playing for CD and maybe overseas.
-
-
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
@victor-meldrew said in Ross Taylor retires:
@higgins said in Ross Taylor retires:
@chris-b Excuse me, I saw Glen Turner and Bruce Taylor both playing live so that in itself does not see them fall into the "or so old no-one has seen them play" category thus they are declared as eligible for selection! Similarly Gren and Jack Alabaster and to a lesser extent Geoff Howarth both also seen play live by myself, the former pair obviously well past his best by then.
Good point. Cricketers like Bruce Taylor & Bev Congdon played in an era when NZ cricket was almost 100% amateur, yet more than held their own against professional teams like Oz & England and were genuinely world class.
That said, t think an All Time Black Caps team would be dominated by players of the last 20 years or so like Rosco & Watling. Haven't followed cricket for a few years but for me it really has been a golden decade or so.
No question. Very, very few old timers had great records, they were the epitome of plucky triers. Not much more.
KW, Crowe and Taylor would make ANY Black Caps all time 3-5 as an example. No one else would come close.
Except Martin Donnelly who averaged 52 in tests, but, more importantly 47 compared to Rossco's 41 in first class cricket.
"...gained a reputation as the best left-hander in the world..."
"He continued to impress observers with his attacking style of play, including former champion C B Fry, who believed Donnelly to be the best left-handed batsman he had seen. "
"In 1960, Neville Cardus expressed the opinion that Donnelly was the finest left-handed foreign batsman to play in England since World War II. Donnelly's favourite shot, a legside flick off the pads, often had spectators gasping in admiration, while some commentators suggested he was the best cover-point of all time."
-
@godder said in Ross Taylor retires:
Someone has to go through quarantine to play in Australia, maybe he just thought he'd do it for the team one last time.
None of the other dual format players will.
I don't think it's nefarious at all, Stead probably let Taylor know if Kane was fit he would not be selected and things went from there.
If that is the right call with Nicholls in horrendous form, Young and Conway less than 5 tests into their careers and no other legitimate batsman knocking down the door, we shall see.
-
However the push/pull worked out I'm glad there is a plan rather than things ending abruptly. I hope he goes out on a high!
-
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
Very, very few old timers had great records, they were the epitome of plucky triers. Not much more.
I think a fair few would be pushing had they had the opportunity to go pro like today's players. John Wright generally gets the nod to partner Turner as opener in an All Time XI, but Bert Sutcliffe had a better batting average - as an amateur.
-
KW, Crowe and Taylor would make ANY Black Caps all time 3-5 as an example. No one else would come close.
I think Bert Sutcliffe and Martin Donnelly would have compelling cases for consideration based on their contributions in times with little class around them. But Taylor is well in that conversation also.
-
@victor-meldrew said in Ross Taylor retires:
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
Very, very few old timers had great records, they were the epitome of plucky triers. Not much more.
I think a fair few would be pushing had they had the opportunity to go pro like today's players. John Wright generally gets the nod to partner Turner as opener in an All Time XI, but Bert Sutcliffe had a better batting average - as an amateur.
Maybe…..but in a way that’s like saying I’d be in the conversation if I was a much better player
But in saying that the old timers did pave the way, I’ll give them that.
-
@arhs said in Ross Taylor retires:
KW, Crowe and Taylor would make ANY Black Caps all time 3-5 as an example. No one else would come close.
I think Bert Sutcliffe and Martin Donnelly would have compelling cases for consideration based on their contributions in times with little class around them. But Taylor is well in that conversation also.
Taylor has class AND longevity though
-
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
@victor-meldrew said in Ross Taylor retires:
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
Very, very few old timers had great records, they were the epitome of plucky triers. Not much more.
I think a fair few would be pushing had they had the opportunity to go pro like today's players. John Wright generally gets the nod to partner Turner as opener in an All Time XI, but Bert Sutcliffe had a better batting average - as an amateur.
Maybe…..but in a way that’s like saying I’d be in the conversation if I was a much better player
Or had better opportunities than Sutcliffe etc?
I think a better comparison for the last 15-20 years for players like Rosco is between professionals like John Parker, Geoff Howarth etc - they were way, way better players.
-
@victor-meldrew said in Ross Taylor retires:
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
@victor-meldrew said in Ross Taylor retires:
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
Very, very few old timers had great records, they were the epitome of plucky triers. Not much more.
I think a fair few would be pushing had they had the opportunity to go pro like today's players. John Wright generally gets the nod to partner Turner as opener in an All Time XI, but Bert Sutcliffe had a better batting average - as an amateur.
Maybe…..but in a way that’s like saying I’d be in the conversation if I was a much better player
Or had better opportunities than Sutcliffe etc?
I think a better comparison for the last 15-20 years for players like Rosco is between professionals like John Parker, Geoff Howarth etc - they were way, way better players.
Than Rossco? What the fuck ? Clearly you had a great NYs eve cos you’re still pissed.
-
@paekakboyz said in Ross Taylor retires:
However the push/pull worked out I'm glad there is a plan rather than things ending abruptly. I hope he goes out on a high!
The Dutch are uniquely placed to ensure that happens one way or another.
-
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
@victor-meldrew said in Ross Taylor retires:
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
@victor-meldrew said in Ross Taylor retires:
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
Very, very few old timers had great records, they were the epitome of plucky triers. Not much more.
I think a fair few would be pushing had they had the opportunity to go pro like today's players. John Wright generally gets the nod to partner Turner as opener in an All Time XI, but Bert Sutcliffe had a better batting average - as an amateur.
Maybe…..but in a way that’s like saying I’d be in the conversation if I was a much better player
Or had better opportunities than Sutcliffe etc?
I think a better comparison for the last 15-20 years for players like Rosco is between professionals like John Parker, Geoff Howarth etc - they were way, way better players.
Than Rossco? What the fuck ? Clearly you had a great NYs eve cos you’re still pissed.
Nah, I'm saying Rosco, Watling etc were way better players than other professionals like Howarth etc
-
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
@arhs said in Ross Taylor retires:
KW, Crowe and Taylor would make ANY Black Caps all time 3-5 as an example. No one else would come close.
I think Bert Sutcliffe and Martin Donnelly would have compelling cases for consideration based on their contributions in times with little class around them. But Taylor is well in that conversation also.
Taylor has class AND longevity though
Except for the first 30 balls of his innings where he’s like a nervous nelly and his feet are all over the show 😉
Thanks for the memories Ross, so many great innings - 150 against India, 290 vs OZ
-
@victor-meldrew said in Ross Taylor retires:
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
@victor-meldrew said in Ross Taylor retires:
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
@victor-meldrew said in Ross Taylor retires:
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
Very, very few old timers had great records, they were the epitome of plucky triers. Not much more.
I think a fair few would be pushing had they had the opportunity to go pro like today's players. John Wright generally gets the nod to partner Turner as opener in an All Time XI, but Bert Sutcliffe had a better batting average - as an amateur.
Maybe…..but in a way that’s like saying I’d be in the conversation if I was a much better player
Or had better opportunities than Sutcliffe etc?
I think a better comparison for the last 15-20 years for players like Rosco is between professionals like John Parker, Geoff Howarth etc - they were way, way better players.
Than Rossco? What the fuck ? Clearly you had a great NYs eve cos you’re still pissed.
Nah, I'm saying Rosco, Watling etc were way better players than other professionals like Howarth etc
That’s disappointing. I really wanted to argue and make my point.
-
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
@victor-meldrew said in Ross Taylor retires:
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
@victor-meldrew said in Ross Taylor retires:
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
@victor-meldrew said in Ross Taylor retires:
@mn5 said in Ross Taylor retires:
Very, very few old timers had great records, they were the epitome of plucky triers. Not much more.
I think a fair few would be pushing had they had the opportunity to go pro like today's players. John Wright generally gets the nod to partner Turner as opener in an All Time XI, but Bert Sutcliffe had a better batting average - as an amateur.
Maybe…..but in a way that’s like saying I’d be in the conversation if I was a much better player
Or had better opportunities than Sutcliffe etc?
I think a better comparison for the last 15-20 years for players like Rosco is between professionals like John Parker, Geoff Howarth etc - they were way, way better players.
Than Rossco? What the fuck ? Clearly you had a great NYs eve cos you’re still pissed.
Nah, I'm saying Rosco, Watling etc were way better players than other professionals like Howarth etc
That’s disappointing. I really wanted to argue and make my point.
Oh all right.
If Bev Congdon had taken up cricket as a professional instead of school teaching, he would have been as good as or better than Rosco.... 🎣
