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New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has ruled out any immediate retirement plans from international cricket. After hitting the winning runs for the Kiwis in the recently concluded World Test Championship (WTC) final against India at Southampton, Taylor said he can still contribute for his country and wants to continue playing.

“Obviously I’m coming towards the end of my career but you don’t want to make decisions based on emotion and things like that. Hopefully, I’ve still got a few games left in me for New Zealand,” Taylor told Newstalk ZB.

The 37-year-old batsman scored an unbeaten 47 in the second innings to help New Zealand get over the line on the sixth and final day of the WTC final at the Rose Bowl.

Taylor made his international debut in 2006 and has been an integral part of New Zealand’s batting line-up across formats ever since. The Kiwi batsman is currently the leading run-scorer for his country in both Tests and ODIs.

The veteran batsman was a part of the playing XI that lost the 50-over World Cup to England by the narrowest of margins at Lord’s in 2019. The Wellington-born batsman also featured in the New Zealand Test squad that recently won a Test series (1-0) against hosts England on English shores after 21 years.

In 233 ODIs, Taylor has amassed 8,581 runs at an average of 48.20. He has also slammed 21 hundreds and 51 fifties in the format. As far as the longest format is concerned, Taylor has scored 7,564 runs at an average of 45.84 in 108 Tests, including 19 centuries and 35 fifties. 

Taylor has also represented New Zealand in four 50-over World Cups till now and expressed his desire to feature in the 2023 edition of the tournament last year.

Featured Image: AFP/  Glyn Kirk

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