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 might be singing David Rudder’s Rally Spherical The West Indies when he strains up in opposition to the staff he grew up supporting in Barbados on Friday evening within the T20 World Cup 2024. Taylor, born in Florida to Jamaican dad and mom, has additionally laid down a marker for his buddy Akeal Hosein, whom he stated he can be “looking, 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 will probably be “an exquisite feeling” to play in opposition to West Indies on Friday: “I am representing my dad and mom, my Jamaican heritage,” he stated. “On the finish of the day, I could be born American, however I converse extra Jamaican than I converse American generally.”

Whereas defeat is not going to mathematically remove USA, they realistically must 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 prospect of enjoying in opposition to [West Indies] now and on a World Cup stage, on the best stage of life… I would beat them. It could be an awesome 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 yr, and stated the margin of defeat confirmed they have been able to beating the opposition. “We gave them a battle on the finish of the day and we all know that now we have an opportunity of beating them as soon as we play good cricket on the day.”

Talking about enjoying West Indies, he stated, “I used to sing the track ‘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 are able to come over the road in opposition to 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 prospect to tackle some acquainted faces – and Hosein, his former Barbados Tridents team-mate, specifically. “He is an excellent buddy of mine,” Taylor stated. “I do know most of his tips so for certain I will be looking him, first ball.”

“We all know that we’ll be the underdogs for all groups that we play in opposition to 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 trying ahead to arising in opposition to 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 a giant brother to me as properly.”

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

“I might say we’re enjoying 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 in opposition to 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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