Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo said they will try to make Ross Taylor’s farewell to Test cricket “as miserable as possible” when they take on New Zealand in a two-Test series beginning in Mount Maunganui on Saturday.
Former captain Taylor will play his last Tests in the home series against Bangladesh before wrapping up his international limited overs career against Australia and the Netherlands over the New Zealand summer.
“We know he’s a quality player and a lot of bowlers will be glad to not have to bowl to him any more,” Domingo told reporters on Friday.
“We want to try to make sure he doesn’t have a great send-off — we want to make sure his send-off is as miserable as possible.”
Taylor is New Zealand’s highest run-scorer in both Tests (7,584) and ODIs (8,581) and Domingo expects the 37-year-old will want to go out in a blaze of glory. “We know we have to bowl well to get him out these next couple of weeks because he’ll be determined to finish off well,” the coach said.
“Every quality player wants to finish their career on a high and leave on their own accord, so I’m sure he’ll be up for putting some big scores up over these next couple of weeks.”
“It’s been an amazing journey and I feel incredibly fortunate to have represented my country for as long as I have,” Taylor said in a statement on Thursday. “It’s been such a privilege to play with and against some of the greats of the game and to have created so many memories and friendships along the way.
“But all good things must come to an end and the timing feels right for me.”
Taylor hit the winning runs as New Zealand beat India to claim the inaugural World Test Championship in Southampton this year but speculation over his career has grown since a recent rough patch in India where he failed to surpass 11 runs in four innings.
New Zealand are without regular captain Kane Williamson, who is nursing a nagging elbow injury, and Tom Latham has been put in charge. New Zealand have dropped Ajaz Patel barely three weeks after the left-arm spinner
bagged all 10 wickets in Mumbai, keeping all-rounder Rachin Ravindra as their lone spin option. “Taylor’s experience has held the side together on countless occasions and his catching record speaks for itself,” coach Gary Stead said of the 37-year-old. “There’s no doubt we’re going to miss him when he’s gone.
“I know Ross is really focused on performing well in these remaining series and going out on the right note.
“His skills and temperament as a batsman have been world class and his ability to perform at such a high level for so long speaks volumes of his longevity and professionalism,” he said.
Williamson also praised the achievements of his long-time batting partner. “Ross has been at the core of the side for so long and can be extremely proud of having brought the game in this country to a better place,” Williamson said.
“He’s a world-class player and personally it’s been a pleasure to be involved in so many partnerships with him.”
Bangladesh will need to conjure something extraordinary to prevent that from happening, having arrived without Shakib, who opted out of the series, and still smarting from a 2-0 home loss against Pakistan.
Mominul Haque and his team’s preparations were also hampered after spin bowling coach Rangana Herath tested positive for Covid-19 and several players were put in isolation.
