ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Fast bowler Jerome Taylor has made an abrupt about-turn and come out of retirement from Test cricket, only 10 months after quitting the longest format.
The West Indies Cricket Board said Wednesday the 32-year-old Taylor had indicated that he was again available for selection, after stepping aside from Tests last July.
Having played three first class matches for his native Jamaica Scorpions in recent weeks, Taylor could now find himself in contention for a Test spot in the upcoming three-match series against Pakistan.
“I believe I still have a lot of cricket left in me and I know I can still offer a lot to West Indies cricket in the Test arena,” he said.
“If selected, I will look to put my best foot forward and give my all for the team. We have some young players in the group at the moment and I believe with my experience, I can add to the team going forward.”
Taylor had abruptly called time on his Test career ahead of the four-Test series against India last year, but remained available for selection in the shorter formats.
He subsequently turned out for the Windies in the three-match Twenty20 series against Pakistan in United Arab Emirates last year when the Caribbean side suffered an embarrassing whitewash.
Taylor was among the leading wicket-takers in the Regional Super50 earlier this year with 16 scalps, including a superb five-wicket haul against Guyana Jaguars at Kensington Oval.
Chief selector Courtney Browne welcomed Taylor’s latest decision, saying the Jamaican’s experience would be a welcome boost to the current selection pool.
“It is good to see that Jerome has decided to come out of retirement and make himself available for Tests once again,” Browne said.
“When you look at the volume of cricket we have this year, we will need to look at all the resources we have available, and having someone of his ability and experience adds value to our player pool.”
Taylor has played 46 Tests and taken 130 wickets at an average of 34. He has made a single Test century – 106 against New Zealand in Dunedin nine years ago.
