India vs New Zealand 2020: Ross Taylor Looks Back On His Career As He Nears 100-Test Landmark

New Zealand veteran batsman Ross Taylor is nearing a big record, as he will become the first batsman in cricket history to play 100 matches across all three formats. He will play his 100th Test match for the Kiwis against India on February 21st at Basin Reserve in Wellington, which will be the first of the two-Test series between the top-two cricketing nations.

Taylor on Friday, speaking to reporters looked back on his career, revealing that he never thought he’d play another Test match after his first series versus South Africa. He also lifted the lid on his favourite innings from his illustrious career.

Ross Taylor opens up on his debut series, his favourite innings, and much more:

Since making his Test debut in 2007, versus South Africa, the 37-year-old has gone on to score 7, 174 runs in the longest format of the game.

However, Taylor never felt he will play another match in New Zealand colours after scoring just 44 runs in his first series.

“After my first Test series against South Africa, I did not think I would play ever a match in the longest format, probably lucky with the timing. I hope over time there will be a lot of players who represent their side in 100 matches in all formats,” the right-handed batsman told reporters.

He further added, “When I played against England and got a 100 in the first Test. That was the first time when I believed that I belong in the longest format. To get those milestones early on made me believe that I was good enough.”

When quizzed about his best innings in the Tests, Taylor talked about the four innings that remain close to his heart.

“One of my best hundreds was in Manchester. I scored 158, we ended up losing the match against England. Then there would be knocks of 140 and 170 against Sri Lanka in Colombo. The last would be the 290-run knock against Australia at Perth. The match ended as a draw,” he said. 

India defeated the Black Caps in the T20I series by a 5-0 margin but Men in Blue were on the receiving end. They lost the ODI series against the Black Caps.

The Test series will be Virat Kohli’s troops’ last assignment on their tour of New Zealand for 2020.