'I don't have a number in mind,' Ross Taylor quashes retirement talks

Ross Taylor is set to play in his seventh tour of England with the New Zealand side. The Kiwi batsman pondered retirement after the 2019 World Cup but has put the plans on hold as he thought he can still add value to the New Zealand side.

"Age is just a number and as long as you're still enjoying it and feel you can contribute to the team on and off the field then hopefully I can continue. I did have 35 in my mind because of the 2019 World Cup but I went there and felt I could still contribute and therefore I didn't think just because it was a World Cup it was time to retire, but no I don't have a number in mind," Taylor told RNZ.

"With the way players train, the technology, the gym the physio, all that culminates in a long career. As long as you still enjoy it and not just playing for the sake of it I think it's better for the game and better for the youngsters who can learn off somebody", Taylor, who is the only cricketer to play 100 matches across all three formats said.

New Zealand will first play a two-match Test series against England, starting June 2, before they take on India in the World Test Championship (WTC) final on June 18 in Southampton.

Taylor has played seven Tests in England, in which he has scored 523 runs at 40.23, which includes a century and three fifties. 

IPL suspension has worked in India's favour

"For India, IPL finishing early under unfortunate circumstances has probably played into their hands a little," Taylor told reporters on Sunday (May 23).

"If IPL would have gone on they would have had a smaller preparation but now they will be a lot more conditioned, their bowlers will have their loads up," he added.

However, Taylor reckons New Zealand will still have a slight advantage over India as they are scheduled to play two Tests against England in the run-up to the WTC final. "I would be lying if you think there isn't some sort of thought about the WTC final but I couldn't think of a better preparation than playing two Tests against England. At the end of the day it's a neutral venue.

"Playing two Tests gives us a slight advantage but this Indian team has been number one for a long period of time and has had a lot of success over here," he added.

There had been some talks that the BCCI has requested to alter the schedule for India's five-Test series against England for completing the IPL, something the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has denied.

Asked if he was concerned about the future of international cricket amid T20 leagues' boom, Taylor said, "IPL is probably the most high-profile and countries move it around when they don't have the same power. It is what it is, players want to play in it.

"I hope that international cricket still has relevance and priorities at times. As long as things are being moved around it is fine... as long as they aren't getting cancelled and what not."

The right-hander, who has featured in 195 Tests, 233 ODIs and 102 T20Is for New Zealand, said most cricketers would still consider international cricket as the pinnacle. "It's changed a lot form when I started -- IPL, the movement and players. We, as a team, weren't able to play in the whole IPL, we played only a couple of weeks.

"It's a move for the good but I hope international cricket is still the pinnacle and I'm sure of it. You ask most of the international cricketers and that's the case."

(With inputs from PTI)