Wairarapa’s locally owned community newspaper
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2021
INSIDE: Wairarapa schools to host fundraising concer t P6
P4
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Taylor-made tour says thanks Black Caps star Ross Taylor has been one of the most recognisable players in world cricket for more than a decade, but he hasn’t forgotten his roots, JOHN LAZO-RON reports. World test cricket champions the Black Caps have been bowling people over with their national mace tour, giving fans a chance to get a glimpse and a pic of the prestigious silverware. The Black Caps won the inaugural World Test Championship final in June, toppling favourites India by eight wickets in a heavily rain-interrupted match in Southampton, England. The mace tour reached Wellington last Friday, and Masterton’s very own Ross Taylor, who hit the winning runs on that day, was right there to greet them. Taylor told Midweek that doing the tour was the Black Caps way of saying thank you to Aotearoa for their support during their title campaign.
“Doing this tour has been fantastic,” Taylor said. “It’s nice to thank the public of New Zealand for their support over the years and show it to them in such a way. It’s also a nice way of showing the next generation and inspiring them to play cricket and hopefully win it again in the years to come.” It was fitting that Taylor hit the winning runs to firmly put the mace
in New Zealand’s hands and do it with captain Kane Williamson. However, Taylor said he initially felt more relief than joy when the historic moment occurred when asked how he felt out in the middle at the time. “It was a strange feeling because it
was almost relief more than anything, to be honest. You’re entrenched in the moment of the game, so it’s almost relief once you get there because it was a big pressure situation,” he said. Continued on page 3
Black Caps stars Will Young and Ross Taylor, who have family links to Wairarapa, were part of the squad that recently won the inaugural cricket World Test Championship. The World Test Championship Mace was on display for Black Caps fans to get a picture with. PHOTOS/JOHN LAZO-RON
