Cricket: Ross Taylor withdraws from Black Caps T20 team to face Pakistan

Black Caps great player Ross Taylor’s T20 international career appears to have ended after the selectors found no room for him on the extended squad to face Pakistan, while sprinter Lockie Ferguson has been forced to leave for a worrisome back injury.

The three-game series begins at Eden Park on Friday. None of the players who participated in the second test against the West Indies were considered for that due to the short response time.

However, the test players return for games two and three at Hamilton and Napier respectively and Taylor will not be among them. Coach Gavin Larsen said this was not a “rest” situation, but a reflection of where the veteran now stands in the pecking order in the shorter format.

“This was, as you imagine, a very difficult decision as Ross has been a consistent performer for us, but unfortunately we couldn’t find room for him on the team due to the quality and form of the other hitters.”

With future father Kane Williamson returning to the team, although he too will miss the first game, and the irresistible form of Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips in the middle order, it was an easy decision to justify. However, it is always jarring to see a name that lacks Taylor’s stature.

The 36-year-old has played 102 T20Is for his country, racking up nearly 2000 runs with an average of 26, and was New Zealand’s T20 Player of the Year last season. Its strike rate of 122, however, is not dynamic by today’s standards. It is also not the first time that it is unwanted in this format, playing only one game between December 2014 and January 2016.

Ferguson was removed from the team after scans revealed a bone stress injury to the lumbar spine. The camp is awaiting further tests to determine the likely time of rehabilitation. However, fast bowlers and back injuries are not uncommon and Ferguson is not expected to face extended time away from the fold.

“Lockie’s injury is obviously a concern considering what he adds to our bowling attack,” Larsen said.

Hamish Bennett also wasn’t considered after suffering a bloating at the Ford Trophy.

Another feature of the team is the return of Trent Boult, who was outstanding for the Mumbai Indians in the recent Indian Premier League, and leggy player Todd Astle, who recently retired from red ball cricket.

Otago chaperone Jacob Duffy has won his first call-up to the national colors after an impressive season. He will leave the squad after the first game. Blair Tickner, Mark Chapman and Doug Bracewell will also usher in the returning test players.

Larsen said this was one of the most challenging teams he had to select.

“A combination of form, injury, and series overlap has certainly added some complexity to this announcement,” he said.

“It’s great to have the Kane and Trent class coming back to our T20 side after missing the West Indies series after their starring roles in the IPL in November.

“Kane will come back and lead the team in games two and three, but obviously we will have to wait and see the focus regarding the arrival of his and Sarah’s first child. Mark Chapman is on the team for the opening game at Eden Park and is looking forward to Kane for the remaining games in the series. “

Game 1

Mitchell Santner (c), Todd Astle, Doug Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner.

Games 2 and 3

Kane Williamson (c), Astle, Trent Boult, Conway, Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Neesham, Phillips, Seifert, Sodhi, Tim Southee.