Notts sign Black Caps star Taylor

England

Nottinghamshire have confirmed that they have signed New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor as their overseas player for the first half of the 2018 season.

The right-hander will be available for eight County Championship matches and all eight Royal London One-Day Cup North Group games.

Taylor recently smashed a brilliant 181 not out against England in the fourth ODI but also has a career behind him that makes him one of New Zealand’s all-time greats.

The Black Caps veteran said: “I’m really excited about joining Nottinghamshire as they return to Division One of the Specsavers County Championship, and I hope I can play an important part in helping them become re-established at the higher level.

“It’s also great to be joining a team who are defending a white ball trophy, with the club having won the Royal London One-Day Cup last summer, and hopefully the team can mount a strong challenge again.

“I’ve enjoyed playing against England for New Zealand in the early part of this year, and I’m looking forward to testing myself in the early-season English conditions when I arrive at Trent Bridge for the start of the new season.”

Taylor has previously turned out for Durham and Sussex in three spells of cricket in England.

Nottinghamshire’s Director of Cricket Mick Newell said: “Ross is a world-class performer who brings with him an excellent record at the highest level in both red and white ball cricket, as well as plenty of experience.

“He is just what we were looking for to strengthen the top order of our four-day batting line-up, where we have lost the likes of Michael Lumb and Brendan Taylor from last year, and his aggressive style suits the type of 50-over cricket we look to play.”

“With Ross suffering a recurrence of a previous quad injury in his century for New Zealand against England on Wednesday, we have been monitoring his fitness, which delayed the announcement of the signing by us.

“We will continue to check in with Ross and the New Zealand team’s medical staff, but he’s confident that he will be fully fit come the start of our season.”

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