Veteran New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has embarked on his seventh tour of England and feels at the age of 37 he still has plenty to offer.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"I just love playing cricket and playing for my country and age is just a number," Taylor said.
He scored 120 in his first Test against England in Hamilton in 2008 and later that year toured England as a 24 year old, playing Tests at Lord's, Old Trafford and Trent Bridge ... scoring an unbeaten 154 in the Manchester game.
"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."
Taylor was asked about how old he thinks he can keep playing till.
"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."
"With the way players train, the technology, the gym the physio, all that culminates in a longer 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."
While New Zealand play two Tests against England, the main priority for this tour is the World Test Championship final against India next month.
So what are the Black Caps chances and how does this New Zealand side rate in Taylor's 14 years at the top?
"It's definitely up there, we've done well at home but the true test for this team is how well we play overseas."
However he says with a few players like BJ Watling (who has already announced he'll retire after this tour), himself and a couple of bowlers likely to retire in the next few years it'll be an exciting time for some of the youngsters to come through.
The first Test against England starts on 2 June at Lord's. The last time they were at the famous London ground was their narrow World Cup final loss to England in 2019.
Taylor has had some calf injury issues in recent weeks but is back hitting balls and running, while coach Gary Stead has said if he's fit he'll play the Tests, so this weeks intra-squad warm-up game will be important.
Taylor has has played 105 tests at an average of 45.83 and with 19 centuries.
Taylor's teammate Devon Conway is on his first tour with the national side and may well be seen as filling one of the top order spots once Taylor has decided to retire.
Devon Conway Photo: PHOTOSPORT
South African born Conway cracked the Black Caps side last summer after a couple of years performing for Wellington and has now played three ODI's and 14 T20 internationals and is therefore hoping to make his Test debut on this tour.
"It's been awesome, a massive learning curve for me in terms of how the protocols are set in place and just trying to adhere to those."
"It's cool seeing the guys (after quarantine) being around the group for an extended period is fun and a lot of memories have been created already in a short period."
"With the Test set-up the guys have been here for a long time so it's good to learn from the experienced players who have been playing at this level for a long period."
"Guys like Tom Latham and Ross Taylor, keeping things simple and staying true to your game plan."
He says the time in camp in Lincoln before leaving New Zealand was a big help.
"Having the opportunity to play with the Duke ball to see how it works and formulate a game plan, we understand that not a lot changes, the Duke ball does swing a bit more than the Kookaburra but you've just got to face the ball, have a game plan and stick to it."
Upcoming tests:
- 1st Test vs England, Lord's, London, June 2-6
- 2nd Test vs England, Edgbaston, Birmingham, June 10-14
- World Test Championship final vs India, Southampton, June 18-22
