Feb 2, 0130 GMT: Australian Test captain Mark Taylor announced his
retirement from international cricket today.
The announcement was made at a Sydney press conference at 12 midday today
(0100 GMT). Taylor will continue to play first-class cricket for New
South Wales.
Taylor, who was Australian Test captain since the retirement of Allan
Border in 1994, winning 11 out of 14 series as skipper, said that he
achieved more than he ever thought he would out of the game. He said he
did not feel sad about leaving. He further said that he had made up his
mind to retire last week.
ACB chairman Denis Rogers was also present at the press conference. He
refuted suggestions in the media that Taylor was in some way holding out
for a better deal.
When asked who he thought should be the next Australian captain, Taylor
said jokingly "One of the current players." He did go on to mention the
names of Steve Waugh, Shane Warne and Mark Waugh, but said he wanted to
stay right out of the selection process.
Mark Taylor played his first Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on
January 26, 1989 against the West Indies. His final Test ended on the
same ground against England on January 5, 1999. In between he played 104
Tests, and made 19 centuries, the largest of which was 334 not out against
Pakistan at Peshawar last year, equalling Sir Donald Bradman's record for
the highest Test score by an Australian. His 7525 runs at 43.49 is second
among Australian batsmen only to Allan Border.
His 157 Test catches beat Border's previous world record for a
non-wicketkeeper by one, but in only two-third of the number of Tests.
Taylor captained Australia in 50 Tests, winning 26 losing 13 and drawing
11. He lost only three series as captain (in Pakistan 1994/95, in India
1996/97, in India 1997/98).
His successor both as captain and opening batsman will be known when the
Australian touring team for the West Indies is announced on Monday,
February 8.