At the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Super Eight stage, USA opener Steven Taylor will take on the West Indies, a side he has always admired. Taylor, whose parents are Jamaican and he was born in Florida, brings an intriguing backstory to this pivotal meeting at Kensington Oval, Barbados.
In the Super Eights, the USA team, who is viewed as the underdog, will play the two-time champions in a pivotal match. Taylor’s link to both sides lends an emotional dimension to an already dramatic cricket match, with their championship ambitions hanging in the balance.
“I’m speaking for my parents and my Jamaican background. In the end, I may be an American by birth, but occasionally I talk more Jamaican than American. “It’s true that I’m representing my birthplace, where I was raised, and I used to sing the song ‘Rally’ when I was younger, but ultimately, I just hope that we can cross the finish line against the West Indies,” he stated, according ESPNcricinfo.
Growing up, I watched Chris Gayle and Brian Lara: Steven Taylor
Taylor stated he was raised on West Indies legends such as Chris Gayle and Brian Lara and that he is sure he can beat the Co-hosts in the forthcoming match.
“I recall watching [Brian] Lara and Chris Gayle when I was little. I might be able to defeat them if I have the opportunity to play against [West Indies] now, at the biggest stage of life—the World Cup. Perhaps it’s an amazing sensation “Taylor continued.
For Taylor, who has played for several Caribbean Premier League teams as well as Jamaica in the past, the game is especially important. In particular, he can’t wait to play his friend Akeal Hosein and other former colleagues.
“He’s a good friend of mine know most of his tricks so for sure I’ll be hunting him, first ball,” added Taylor.
Despite starting the game as the underdog, the USA squad had hope. Taylor discussed their 50-over World Cup qualifying match against the West Indies earlier.
“After all is said and done, we gave them a fight, and we know we can win if we play decent cricket that day. I think the team is working well together and we’re playing fantastic cricket. At the end of the day, we are aware that any team we face in the Super Eights will be the favourite. We’re simply here to play good cricket, so we win if we go in, and we lose if we don’t,” Taylor said.
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