“You have to respect the selectors’ decision”
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Veteran New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has admitted that he was a bit miffed as to why he was not selected for the recently concluded Twenty20 series against Bangladesh.
Prior to the start of the three-match series on January 3, Taylor has returned to domestic cricket after undergoing surgery to have a growth removed from his left eye and looked in excellent form as he made scores of 82 not out and 80 for Central Districts in their Super Smash matches against Auckland and Canterbury on December 29 and 31 respectively.
Despite expressing his disappointment at being overlooked for the series, the 32-year-old admitted that he had to respect the selectors’ decision and is now looking forward to the two-Test series, which begins on January 12 in Wellington.
“I love playing all three formats for the country and to get the call on Boxing Day was disappointing, but you have to respect the selectors’ decision,” he said. “I guess to answer it back with two 80s was nice. At the same time, it’s nice to be back in Test cricket and at one of my favourite grounds.”
Taylor also admitted that he was slightly surprised not to be given the green light to play for the Melbourne Renegades in their Big Bash League (BBL) clash with the Melbourne Stars on New Year’s Day.
While New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson had no issues with Taylor featuring in the BBL, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive David White was against the idea.
“It is what it is,” Taylor said. “It would have been nice to have played in front of 70,000-odd in the Melbourne derby but NZC have their protocols on player travel and you have to respect that.”
Meanwhile, Taylor also made it clear that his vision has been improving ever since he underwent surgery.
“I went around to my manager’s house and asked if she had bought a new fridge,” he said. “She looked at me pretty strangely and said it’s been the same one for the last four or five years. I don’t know if that’s a good or a bad thing.”