Ross Taylor to Represent Samoa in T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier
Former New Zealand star Ross Taylor has been named in Samoa’s squad for the Asia-East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup Qualifier, which begins on October 8 in Oman. The 41-year-old, who retired from New Zealand cricket in 2022, is set to represent his Samoan heritage in hopes of leading the nation to its first-ever men’s T20 World Cup appearance in 2026.
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Honouring his heritage
Taylor expressed his excitement on Instagram, calling the move more than just a return to the game. He said it was an honour to represent his culture, villages, and family while also giving back to the sport that shaped his career.
Big names in the squad
Samoa’s squad features several notable players alongside Taylor. Sean Solia makes a comeback, while Darius Visser, known for smashing 39 runs in one over during qualifiers, is also included. Their recent performances in a Singapore quadrangular series have boosted the team’s confidence ahead of the crucial tournament.
Ross Taylor ’s cricket legacy
Holding a Samoan passport through his mother’s heritage, Taylor is eligible after completing the ICC’s three-year stand-down period. The veteran has an illustrious record with over 18,000 runs for New Zealand, including 1909 runs in T20 internationals at a strike rate of 122. He has also played in top leagues like the IPL and CPL, scoring nearly 5,000 franchise runs worldwide.
Samoa’s qualification journey
Samoa earned their place in this final qualifying stage after defeating teams like Vanuatu, Cook Islands, and Fiji. They will now compete against heavyweights including Oman, Nepal, UAE, Malaysia, Kuwait, and Qatar, alongside East Asia-Pacific rivals Papua New Guinea and Japan. Only three teams will qualify for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Building a cricket legacy
While Samoa’s men are chasing history, the nation already has a taste of global cricket. Earlier this year, the Samoa U19 Women’s team featured in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia. With Ross Taylor’s experience now guiding the men’s side, Samoa hopes to script another milestone.
Samoa Squad for T20 World Cup Qualifier
Caleb Jasmat, 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, Ili Tugaga.
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