Internet explodes as Ross Taylor ends Test career on a high to seal NZ win

Ross Taylor, legendry New Zealand batter,
made his final Test appearance on Tuesday as New Zealand beat Bangladesh in the
second Test at The Hagley Oval, Christchurch to level the series 1-1.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 278 in their second innings. Bangladesh lost the
match by an innings and 117 runs.

Also Read: Watch | Bangladesh players pay respects to New Zealand’s Ross Taylor

Playing his 112th Test, his final game in
the Test white, Taylor entertained cricket fans by taking the final wicket of the Bangladesh innings as New Zealand bounced back in thumping style.

With the light fading, New Zealand’s
stand-in skipper Tom Latham gave the ball to 37-year-old Taylor and on
the third delivery of the over, he dismissed Ebadot Hossain to take just the third
wicket of his career.

Also Read: NZ vs Ban: Ross Taylor goes past Stephen Fleming ‘s record in farewell Test

In the first innings, Taylor scored 28 off
39 balls after Latham slammed a double ton and Devon Conway scored 107. After taking
the wicket at the fag end of the match, Taylor was mobbed by his teammates.

As fans cheered Taylor up for his only third wicket, cricketers and journalists hailed Taylor as he said goodbye to Test cricket.

Also Read: Devon Conway hits first ton of 2022, joins Clarke, Strauss in elite list

Taylor retired as New Zealand’s top scorer
in Test and ODI. He has scored 7,656 Test runs and 19 centuries and 8,576 runs
in ODIs, ahead of Stephen Fleming (8,037). His 21 ODI centuries also are a New
Zealand record.

Taylor made his Test debut against South
Africa in 2007 and played the first of 233 ODIs against the West Indies in
2006. He has also played 102 Twenty20 internationals, becoming the first player
to play more than 100 matches for New Zealand in all three formats.

Also Read: Ross Taylor to retire: A look at his major records

Taylor will not play in the Black Caps test
series against South Africa in February but will play one-day international
series against Australia in Australia in February and against the Netherlands
at home in late March and early April.

Also Read: Dale Steyn to Harbhajan Singh: 5 cricketers who announce retirement in 2021

The fourth ODI against the Netherlands in
Taylor’s home town of Hamilton on April 4 will be his last match for New
Zealand.