T20 World Cup 2024 WI vs USA - Steven Taylor 'representing my parents, my Jamaican heritage' against West Indies

T20 World Cup 2024 WI vs USA – Steven Taylor ‘representing my parents, my Jamaican heritage’ against West Indies

June 21, 2024

in Cricket

Reading Time: 3 mins read

USA opener Steven Taylor can be singing David Rudder’s Rally Spherical The West Indies when he strains up towards the staff he grew up supporting in Barbados on Friday night time within the T20 World Cup 2024. Taylor, born in Florida to Jamaican dad and mom, has additionally laid down a marker for his pal Akeal Hosein, whom he stated he can be “searching, first ball” at Kensington Oval.

Taylor was introduced up on America’s south-east coast however was a West Indies fan on account of his household heritage. He stated it is going to be “a beautiful feeling” to play towards West Indies on Friday: “I am representing my dad and mom, my Jamaican heritage,” he stated. “On the finish of the day, I is perhaps born American, however I converse extra Jamaican than I converse American generally.”

Whereas defeat is not going to mathematically remove USA, they realistically have to win each remaining video games to qualify for the semi-finals.

“[I remember] rising up, watching [Brian] Lara, Chris Gayle,” Taylor stated. “To have the possibility of taking part in towards [West Indies] now and on a World Cup stage, on the very best stage of life… I’d beat them. It is perhaps a terrific feeling.

Taylor was a part of the USA facet which misplaced by 39 runs to West Indies within the 50-over World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe final 12 months, and stated the margin of defeat confirmed they had been able to beating the opposition. “We gave them a combat on the finish of the day and we all know that we’ve got an opportunity of beating them as soon as we play good cricket on the day.”

Talking about taking part in West Indies, he stated, “I used to sing the tune ‘rally’ rising up as a child, however on the finish of the day, I am representing my actual nation, the place I used to be born and grown, and I simply hope that we will come over the road towards West Indies.” Requested if he can be singing the anthem on Friday, he stated with a smile, “I did final time, however in my head.”

Taylor has been on the books of three totally different CPL franchises and has additionally performed regional cricket for Jamaica, and is relishing the possibility to tackle some acquainted faces – and Hosein, his former Barbados Tridents team-mate, specifically. “He is pal of mine,” Taylor stated. “I do know most of his methods so for certain I will be searching him, first ball.”

“We all know that we’ll be the underdogs for all groups that we play towards within the Tremendous Eights. So, we’re simply right here to play good cricket and if we go in, we win; if we lose, we lose”

Steven Taylor

He’s additionally wanting ahead to arising towards Andre Russell, one other former team-mate: “I performed with him most days,” Taylor stated. “I would not say I look as much as him, however he is extra of an enormous brother to me as properly.”

USA fell to an 18-run defeat of their opening Tremendous Eight fixture towards South Africa in Antigua, however took confidence from Andries Gous’ innings of 80 not out and comeback with the ball after an costly begin.

“I might say we’re taking part in good cricket and the staff is gelling properly collectively,” Taylor stated. “On the finish of the day, we all know that we’ll be the underdogs for all groups that we play towards within the Tremendous Eights. So, we’re simply right here to play good cricket and if we go in, we win; if we lose, we lose.”

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