Ross Taylor, the legendary cricketer from New Zealand, has made an exciting comeback to international cricket—this time representing Samoa. The former Black Caps player has joined Samoa’s squad for the upcoming Asia-East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier in Oman, aiming for Samoa’s first-ever chance to qualify for a men’s global cricket tournament.
The Samoa team announced Taylor’s inclusion on Friday morning, marking a big step in their journey to reach the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The qualifying tournament kicks off in Oman on October 8, with Samoa competing alongside teams from Papua New Guinea, Japan, Oman, Nepal, Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar, and the UAE.
Ross Taylor, who holds a Samoan passport through his mother’s heritage, is thrilled to represent his roots. He shared on Instagram, “I’m proud to say I’ll be representing Samoa in cricket. It’s more than just a game for me—it’s an honor to represent my heritage, culture, village, and family. I look forward to giving back to the game and sharing my experience with the team.”
Taylor last played for New Zealand in April 2022. Since then, he has completed the three-year residency period that makes him eligible to compete for Samoa, where he will be known as Leaupepe Luteru Taylor, honoring his Samoan chief title and name.
The all-rounder has had a storied career with New Zealand since debuting in 2006. He played 112 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 102 T20Is, making him one of New Zealand’s most persistent and successful cricketers. He ranks second for Test runs (7,683) and centuries (19), just behind captain Kane Williamson.
Apart from his accomplishments in international cricket, Taylor has also played in top franchise leagues like the IPL and CPL, scoring nearly 5,000 runs around the world.
Samoa’s journey to reach the T20 World Cup has been incredible. They surprised everyone by winning their sub-regional qualifier, beating teams like Vanuatu, Cook Islands, and Fiji. Now, they’re competing in the regional final, which runs from October 8, in a tough tournament featuring nine teams battling for three spots in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Along with Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Japan are representing the East Asia-Pacific region. The competition includes talented teams from Oman, Nepal, Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar, and the UAE, all vying for a place on cricket’s biggest stage.
Samoa’s squad features key players like captain Caleb Jasmat, along with Ross Taylor, Darius Visser, Sean Solia, and others. This marks a historic moment for Samoa cricket, with a star like Taylor bringing his vast experience to help guide the team toward their dream of making it to the global T20 cricket stage.
Stay tuned for more updates as Samoa aims for cricket history in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 qualifiers!
