The former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor has decided to come out of retirement and represent Samoa in the upcoming T20 World Cup regional qualifier (Asia-East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup 2026 World Cup qualifier).

Taylor has been named in the 15-member Samoa squad led by Caleb Jasmat on Friday. “It’s official – I’m proud to announce that I’ll be pulling on the blue and representing Samoa in cricket,” Taylor wrote on his Instagram handle. “This is more than just a return to the game I love – it’s the huge honour to represent my heritage, culture, villages, and family.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to the game, join the squad, and share my experience on and off the field.”

Taylor has a Samoan passport through his mother’s heritage and is eligible to play for Samoa after seeing out the three-year cooling-off period after his last match for New Zealand in April 2022.

He retired after playing 112 tests, 236 ODis and 102 T20Is for New Zealand between 2006 and 2022, scoring 7683, 8607, 1909 runs in the three formats respectively and finishing as one of New Zealand’s all time great.

He is still New Zealand’s fifth most profilic run scorer in T20Is despite last playing a game in the format in November 2020.

Along with Taylor, Sean Solia has been also named in the squad. Taylor and Solia are expected to bolster the batting line-up along with Darius Visser.

Samoa squad for World Cup Regional qualifiers: Caleb Jasmat (c), Ross Taylor, Darius Visser, Sean Solia, Daniel Burgess, Douglas Finau, Sam French, Kurtis Hynam-Nyberg, Ben Mailata, Noah Mead, Solomon Nash, Samson Sola, Fereti Sululoto, Saumani Tiai, Sumps