Sussex's Ross Taylor looking forward to first prolonged stint in county cricket

Ross Taylor says he is looking to get a lot more out of his first prolonged stint in county cricket than merely scoring runs.
Ross Taylor will play for Sussex for the first half of the 2016 season
(Photo: Getty Images) SUS-151221-081829001Ross Taylor will play for Sussex for the first half of the 2016 season
(Photo: Getty Images) SUS-151221-081829001
Ross Taylor will play for Sussex for the first half of the 2016 season (Photo: Getty Images) SUS-151221-081829001

The 32-year-old former New Zealand captain could have spent the next few months picking up good money in the IPL and its Caribbean equivalent.

But the idea of experiencing the county circuit at length for the first time held more appeal and he has joined Sussex until the end of July, having played some T20 for Durham in 2010.

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And when he made his first appearance for his new county a fortnight ago against Essex, Taylor was also able to tick off another little milestone in his career.

He said: “I came to England as an MCC young cricketer when I was 18 and was due to play at Hove but it rained all three days. They told me there was a slope at the ground but I had no idea how big it was until I got here. Hove was the only county ground in England I hadn’t played at so it’s nice to tick that one off.

“I wanted to come and experience as much of the county circuit as possible. I know it can become a bit of a grind but I am looking forward to it.

“It’s just as much a lifestyle thing. When you play a lot of international cricket you do a lot of travelling. It’s nice to finish a day’s play, go home and sleep in your own bed.

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“Also, I enjoy the English countryside and exploring new places. My family arrive next month and I’m sure they will enjoy living by the seaside in Brighton.”

Taylor returns to action for Sussex against Leicestershire on Sunday, having been grateful for the ten days break since their last game to rest a troublesome finger injury which flared up against Northamptonshire on the opening day of the season.

“It’s not broken but the tendons around the joint are a bit sore,” Taylor said. “The break also allows me to get to know my team-mates a bit better which is nice.

“Normally at this time of the year I would be playing IPL and Caribbean Premier League T20 cricket with international players you have been with or played against a lot.

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“Here, there are a lot of new faces, particularly youngsters, to get to know and see what they are about and it’s a pretty happy dressing room.”

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