Ross Taylor says goodbye to Test cricket with rare wicket from final ball of career

Taylor, a very occasional off-spinner, was chucked the ball by captain Tom Latham with light fading on day three and Bangladesh on the edge of defeat

It was the perfect way to say goodbye.

After a career spanning nearly 15 years, Taylor's final outing in New Zealand whites came in the second Test against Bangladesh in Christchurch this week.

And while he will be most missed - and remembered - for his batting, it was with the ball that the 37-year-old made his final contribution for the Blackcaps.

Taylor, a very occasional off-spinner, was chucked the ball by captain Tom Latham with light fading on day three and Bangladesh on the brink of defeat.

^{Ross Taylor celebrates a wicket from his final ball in Test cricket (Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)}

With his third delivery, he claimed the wicket to wrap up victory for his side.

Ebadot Hossain might not be a prized scalp for many bowlers worldwide, but given the scenes which greeted his dismissal, he might as well have been Steve Smith or Virat Kohli.

Ebadot skied an attempted slog sweep to a diving Latham at midwicket, and Taylor was ceremoniously mobbed by his teammates in the middle. It was his third Test wicket.

Earlier in the match, the Wellington-born batsman had been given a guard of honour by the Bangladeshi players as he made his way to the crease for what proved to be the final time in the format.

Ross Taylor takes a 𝗪𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧 to finish his Test career 😂

Cricket, what a sport ❤️@RossLTaylor, what a legend 🐐#NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/Vy7JiRwtBV

— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 11, 2022

He made 28 out of New Zealand's monstrous 521 for 6 declared, as the Kiwis laid the foundations for victory by an innings and 117 runs.

The result means the series finishes as a 1-1 draw, following Bangladesh's shock win in the first match of the campaign at Tauranga.

"It's a great way to finish," said Taylor after the game. "I wanted to finish with a win and the guys definitely gave it to me.

"It was an emotional game for me and my family."

After 112 Test appearances, and 7,683 runs, it is time for New Zealand to move on from Taylor in Tests. But this farewell will take some forgetting.

What a journey Ross Taylor has been on with New Zealand!

He talked through his final moments as a Test cricketer and his time playing in whites...

"I've thoroughly enjoyed representing my country. It was a great way to finish..."

Cricket will miss him 😭#NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/wYC3TS9uU9

— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 11, 2022

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