Picture Credit: Twitter
It was quite an end to Ross Taylor's test career. The veteran New Zealand batter had already announced his retirement a while back, it was an emotional ride and Taylor himself had a hard time holding back his tears when the teams lined for the national anthem before the start of his final Test in Christchurch.
Later, he received a guard of honour from the Bangladesh team and by the time he departed, there was a remote possibility that there would be a second innings for the Kiwis as the hosts were heading towards a massive first innings total.
As it turned out, New Zealand did not bat second and while many would have thought that Taylor was done playing the lead role and would have only catches to take in the remainder of the match, destiny had other ideas.
In the 80th over of the second innings with the Bangladesh batters reeling at 278/9, a victory merely a formality and the new ball still an over away, skipper Tom Latham decided to hand over the ball to none other than Taylor. However, much to the right-handed batter's credit, in only his third ball of the over, he tossed the ball inviting Ebadot Hossain to go for a wild heave which he did but only managed to send the ball miles into the air.
As luck would have it, it was Latham himself, who trusted Taylor with the ball, completed the catch and New Zealand started quite the most dramatic of all celebrations.
Check out the moment here:
Taylor's teammates surrounded him from all corners in a moment that is set to remain with the 37-year-old for the rest of his life as he hangs in boots in a manner only a few others have in Test match cricket. Prior to his performance with the ball to end his Test career, the Kiwi cricketer averaged around 24 with the ball and had taken 2 wickets but none more fulfilling and full of emotions than the final delivery.