Taylor is not the only player to answer the T20 World Cup Qualification call from The 685, a beloved nickname of Samoa that comes from the county’s dialing code. It’s a nod to the messages and calls that bounce across the Pacific Ocean, with many of Samoan heritage having settled in New Zealand, Australia and other parts of the world.
New Zealand ‘A’ international Sean Solia returns to the fold having previously captained the Samoan national team, while Ili Tugaga bolsters the team’s bowling ranks.
Taylor is under no illusions as to the difficulty of Samoa’s task in Oman, with the side pooled against the hosts and regional rivals Papua New Guinea in group stage action.
Both coming back from the last T20 World Cup, Taylor believes his side has the “hardest draw” across the three groups and nine-team tournament, needing to beat one of them to move to the Super Six stage of the Qualifier.
Three T20 World Cup spots are available for next year’s tournament for the Qualifier, with the likes of UAE, Nepal and Malaysia also in the mix.
“I’ve always played things down my whole career and I don’t see anything changing. I think first and foremost is to get out of that group stage,” Taylor continued.
“I’m sure they’ll both (Oman and Papua New Guinea) be champing at the bit and don’t want us to spoil their party. But if we could get through there, then I think it’s definitely an opportunity for us to maybe create some history.
“I don’t see this as just putting a hat on, making this World Cup. Obviously, that’s the end goal, and we want to get there.
“But I think it’s about giving these players experience. The next World Cup’s here in New Zealand and Australia in 2028. It’s about giving guys experience that they can keep getting better, keep learning and be even better for that tournament.
“But that’s not stopping us wanting to get to that World Cup in Sri Lanka and India next year.”
