Ross Taylor joins Nottinghamshire for first half of 2018 season
Taylor scored 181 not out on Wednesday as New Zealand beat England in fourth ODI
Thursday 8 March 2018 13:01, UK
Nottinghamshire have signed New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor as their overseas player for the first half of the 2018 season.
Taylor has signed a deal at Trent Bridge until the end of June, making him available for the club's first eight games in Specsavers County Championship Division One.
The 34-year-old will also be able to play in Nottinghamshire's eight group games in the Royal London One-Day Cup as well as in the knockout stages, should the Outlaws make it that far.
Taylor struck an unbeaten 181 while battling a quad injury on Wednesday as New Zealand beat England in the fourth ODI to take the series to a decider in Christchurch, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 9.30pm on Friday.
"I'm really excited about joining Nottinghamshire as they return to Division One, and I hope I can play an important part in helping them become re-established at the higher level," said Taylor.
"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."
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."
Taylor has previously played county cricket for Durham in 2010 and Sussex in 2016 and 2017.