New Zealand's Ross Taylor recognized in Queen's Birthday Honors
Former New Zealand batter Ross Taylor has earned a spot in the Queen's Birthday Honors for his services to the game and Pacific communities. Taylor, who recently retired from the game, is now a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday Honors. He remains the only player to have played over 100 matches in each of the three formats.
Taylor enters an elite list
Why does this story matter?
Taylor, who received the prestigious honor, had been the nucleus of New Zealand's batting order across formats. He won the inaugural ICC World Test Championship with the Kiwis. Taylor represented the Kiwis in 112 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 102 T20Is. He was a part of the New Zealand side that played the final of two World Cup editions (2015 and 2019).
Only player to feature in 100 matches in all formats
Taylor appeared in his 100th Test in February 2020 against India at Basin Reserve, Wellington. New Zealand won the Test by 10 wickets. Interestingly, it was their 100th win in the format. Meanwhile, Taylor became the only player in history to play 100 matches across all three formats (ODIs: 236, T20Is: 102). Indian captain Virat Kohli is the closest to matching Taylor's feat.
A look at Taylor's international career
Taylor made his international debut in 2006 in an ODI against West Indies. He played his first Test a year later against SA. Taylor has smashed 7,684 runs at an average of 44.16. The tally includes 19 hundreds and 35 fifties. He also owns 8,602 ODI runs at 47.52 (100s: 21). Taylor has 1,909 T20I runs to his name.
Platinum Jubilee of the Queen
The list has been released to mark the Platinum Jubilee of the Queen. The Order of New Zealand (includes Taylor) was introduced in 1987. There were four additional appointments (in 1990 for the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi, in 2002 for The Queen's Golden Jubilee, in 2007 for the 20th anniversary of the Order, and in 2012 for The Queen's Diamond Jubilee).
