Ross Taylor played his 100th Test for New Zealand in January 2022 — becoming the first New Zealander to achieve the milestone — before retiring as his country's highest run-scorer with 7,683 Test runs, ending a 16-year career that changed New Zealand batting.
Ross Taylor began his Test career in 2006 and became New Zealand's most important middle-order batsman across 16 years. His career spanned multiple eras, from the early struggles of New Zealand cricket to their rise to ICC World Test Championship finalists under Williamson.
Taylor's 100th Test came on the Bangladesh tour. He had announced it would be his final Test series, playing on to reach the milestone he had been approaching for months.
Taylor made 28 in his 100th Test — not his finest innings, but the occasion was the point. New Zealand won the match. Taylor acknowledged the applause from both dressing rooms.
He retired with 7,683 Test runs, 19 centuries — both New Zealand records at the time. His ODI record is equally impressive: 8,607 runs, 21 centuries.
Taylor's career produced some of New Zealand cricket's finest innings — his 290 vs Australia in Perth in 2015, his 200 vs Sri Lanka in 2019, his role in New Zealand's 2021 World Test Championship victory over India.
Taylor's 100th Test cap — first New Zealander to achieve the milestone
Retirement announcement — 16 years of New Zealand batting concluded
7,683 Test runs — New Zealand's all-time record at retirement
2006
Taylor's Test debut — New Zealand middle-order career begins
2015
290 vs Australia in Perth — career-defining innings
January 2022
100th Test — first New Zealander, retirement announced
Taylor retired to significant praise from across cricket. Kane Williamson surpassed his record subsequently but Taylor's contribution to New Zealand cricket across 16 years is permanent.
New Zealand's greatest ever batsman across all formats — a player whose longevity and consistency transformed how New Zealand cricket was perceived globally. 100 Tests is a milestone that defines a career.
Ross Taylor's 100 Tests is the benchmark New Zealand batting career. His consistency — averaging above 44 across 16 years against all opponents — confirmed that New Zealand could produce world-class batsmen, not just great occasions.
Australia vs West Indies
1960-12-14
The first tied Test in 86 years of cricket history — Australia and West Indies finished level on 737 runs each after five days of breathless cricket in Brisbane, producing one of the most dramatic finishes the game has ever seen.
India vs Australia
1986-09-22
Twenty-six years after Brisbane, cricket produced only its second tied Test — Dean Jones's heroic 210 through crippling heat and Dean Jones's fever, Ravi Shastri's unbeaten 48 and India needing 2 off the last over, only for Maninder Singh to be out lbw off the final ball.
Australia vs South Africa
1999-06-17
Lance Klusener smashed Australia to the brink of elimination, then ran out Allan Donald off the penultimate ball to tie the match — but Australia advanced to the final on superior run rate, ending South Africa's greatest World Cup campaign in devastating fashion.