Ross Taylor: Black & White

by Paul Thomas

When an athlete with an exceptional record of achievement and longevity comes to the end of their career, the numbers can speak for themselves. Ross Taylor has scored the most runs, made the most centuries and taken the most catches by a New Zealander in international cricket. He’ s the first New Zealand cricketer to play 450 international matches. He’ s the first player from any country to make 100 international appearances in all three formats of the test cricket, one-day internationals and Twenty20. The numbers are extraordinary but they don’ t tell the whole story. They don’ t capture the unlikely, if not unique, aspects of Ross Taylor’ s journey to becoming one of our true sporting greats. Here is the whole story — in black and white.

320 pages, Hardcover

Published December 11, 2022

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read for cricket lovers and in particular those who want an inside word on New Zealand’s rise over the last decade or so, the famous World Test Championship win, the infamous World Cup 2019 loss, the IPL and more. Taylor isn’t afraid to tackle the controversy of racism in cricket, the Captaincy debacle, the politics, pitfalls and personalities across more than two decades in the game.

Taylor talks movingly of those who have been pivotal on his journey, and it is great to hear the voices of those that know him best - his wife, long-standing agent, early influences and supporters Mark Greatbatch, Ian Smith and John Wright. The late Martin Crowe’s mentorship clearly meant a lot and is eloquently evoked in a Foreword written by Crowe just before he passed away in 2016 and in Taylor’s own dedications.

Although the controversial revelations have garnered the most media attention, Ross Taylor’s love of the team and mates like Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson shine through, as does his long dedication to the cause, the importance of family, his Samoan culture and small-town roots. A truly remarkable career that deserves to be in the spotlight, well told and - like one of Taylor’s trademark innings - full of grit, big hits and plenty of smiles.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

High three stars. Really interesting content for a Kiwi cricket fan over the past decade or so, but what really frustrated me was the time jumping. There’s a disservice to Taylor here by the editing - sometimes you’re in India in the IPL, and the next paragraph you’re in the Windies for an ODI in a different year, then back to India. It was consistent through many chapters and watered down the experience. That said, great to get his take on so many moments of the Blackcaps’ recent history, including the captaincy saga, 2019 CWC and the WTC. And that final act in test cricket 😂

[Dharya · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such a beautiful book, told me so much about the game I love. It has so many mentions of individuals that I couldn't have imagined. Loved it.