Hamilton, April 4: New Zealand batter Ross Taylor ended his 16-year long international cricket career by taking a match winning catch in his final appearance, as the Black Caps whitewashed the three-match ODI series against the Netherlands with a comprehensive 115-run victory and here at Seddon Park. An emotional Ross could not hold back the tears as he entered the arena in New Zealand colours for one last time. He also received a guard of honour from the Dutch players when he came to bat in his final and 450th international match. Ross walked in to bat when New Zealand were cruising along at 215-2 and scored 14 off 16 balls in his final appearance, getting out caught and bowled to Logan van Beek in an attempt to push the scoring-rate further. New Zealand eventually finished at 333/8, a score that helped them secure a 115-run win to complete a 3-0 series whitewash. From winning the inaugural ICC World Test Championship to scoring the highest score by a New Zealand batter in Australia, Ross was a part of several glorious moments for New Zealand and retired as the country’s most prolific run-getter across formats – 18,199 runs at a highly impressive average of 42.72. Taylor played 112 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 102 T20Is making him the only record holder of a unique achievement of being the only cricketer to make 100 appearances in each of the three international formats. “Apologies if I miss out any names. First to Snedden and New Zealand Cricket appreciate all the help you have given me from a 14-year-old to where I am now,” said Taylor after the match. “Special thanks to our manager, you have been with us for 10-11 years and are moving on at the same time as me, wish you all the best. To my team mates it has been pleasure, I thoroughly enjoyed my time and I will be watching how you guys grow from the other side. You are in good stead and I will miss you boys. “It has been a long 16 years and thank you for everything. Hamilton, thank you for coming out and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to play my last game,” he said.
Sachin Tendulkar shared a heartfelt note for New Zealand’s batter Ross Taylor, who played his final match on Monday. Taking to Twiiter Sachin said: “You’ve been a great ambassador of the game Ross! It was wonderful playing against you. The way you reinvented yourself over the years to adapt is an inspiration for all the young kids aspiring to be cricketers. Heartiest congratulations on a fabulous career.” (UNI)
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