Ross Taylor called back to the New Zealand side for the T20I series with Bangladesh

Black Caps batsman Ross Taylor is set to return to active cricket with the Central Stags on Thursday, four weeks after having surgery to remove a pterygium from his left eye -a growth on the tissue that lines the eyelids. Taylor will also replace Tom Bruce who was called into the New Zealand side for their T20 series with Bangladesh. This news comes a day after it was announced that the veteran right-hander was overlooked for the selection.

Ross is one of two new faces along with Luke Feldman, who provides cover for Ben Wheeler, in the Stags’ squad for their McDonald’s Super Smash games against the Auckland Aces and the Canterbury Kings in New Plymouth.

Taylor’s eye problems were first revealed after the Black Caps’ first test against Pakistan last month. After consulting with two specialists, he decided he would play the second test – where he scored a century – but then have surgery immediately afterwards. he went under the knife to get rid of the pterygium.

The eye issue ruled him out of the Chappell-Hadlee one-day series against Australia and later out of the one-day series against Bangladesh which began on Boxing Day.

“When you consider the number of quality bowlers currently out due to injury, and you add to that Wheeler, who has joined the Black Caps, then you can see why we have had to bring Luke into the squad,” said coach Heinrich Malan.

Taylor wasn’t included in that squad, despite being ready to play, a decision selector Gavin Larsen said was “performance related”.

The Stags won’t mind, however, as his availability for them will go some way to offsetting the loss of Bruce, who has been one of the Super Smash’s standout performers.

“It’s great to have Ross back in the mix. His experience and skill will add another dimension to our team, and his presence in the dressing room, as we enter the final phase of this competition, will be invaluable.”