Ross Taylor had earlier said he would have retired had New Zealand lifted the 50-over World Cup against England in 2019.
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New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor, who remained unbeaten on 47 to guide his team to victory along with skipper Kane Williamson (52*), feels the World Test Championship win makes up for the heart breaking 2019 World Cup loss. The Black Caps had lost that final against England at Lord’s on boundary count after a tied Super Over.
Who better to hit the winning runs than the @BLACKCAPS’ greatest ever Test run-scorer, Ross Taylor?
Inside the winning moment and trophy presentation ? #WTC21 pic.twitter.com/mvu5Ed5MaC
— ICC (@ICC) June 23, 2021
Fittingly, it was Taylor, New Zealand’s highest run-getter in Test cricket, who sealed the win on the sixth day with a flick shot off his legs to the midwicket for a boundary.
He is the highest Test and ODI run-getter for New Zealand, he reached 18000 runs in international cricket in the WTC final. He also went past Mark Taylor into the list of top 10 Test catchers with his 158th catch.
After the win, Taylor at the post match ceremony was still trying to sink in the feeling. “Still sinking in (the feeling being crowned World Champions), but it’s been a long way. Long journey over a couple of years. Lot of rain for a couple days here, but I thought the way team fought from Day One, and to be with Kane, who has been a fantastic leader for this team for a long time, to be out there in a pressure situation is something I wouldn’t forget,”.
THEY’VE DONE IT! Ross Taylor hits the winnings runs and the BLACKCAPS win the ICC World Test Championship FINAL by eight wickets over India at the Hampshire Bowl. New Zealand’s ultimate duo do it in the ultimate Test! #WTC21 #BACKTHEBLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/hUmEi3fB9v
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 23, 2021
“This has to be the highlight of my career, to be world champions,” he added.
“2019 World Cup was very tough for us, this makes up for that. Will sink in a little bit more with time. Family, friends and all the sacrifices they have made for us, this is also for them.”
Taylor also praised Williamson for instilling patience in him. “This is probably for the fans, stuck with us through thick and thin. It wasn’t easy to start and Kane kept reiterating that stick in there it will get easier. Classy Indian side, never gave up. They put us under a lot of pressure.”
“I never thought I’d get another opportunity to play in a Final. It’s nice to be here and have another chance to create some history.”@BLACKCAPS icon Ross Taylor reflects on a career for the ages and what is still to come.#INDvNZ #WTC21 pic.twitter.com/y7ZmlZuwIP
— ICC (@ICC) June 20, 2021
The right-handed batsman had earlier said he would have retired had New Zealand lifted the 50-over World Cup in 2019. But the desire to go out on top kept him going.
