Mark Taylor (cricketer)

Mark Taylor

Taylor in 2014
Personal information
Full name	Mark Anthony Taylor
Born	(1964-10-27) 27 October 1964 (age 60) Leeton, New South Wales, Australia
Nickname	Tubby, Tubs[1]
Height	180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Batting	Left-handed
Bowling	Left-arm medium
Role	Opening batter
International information
National side	Australia (1989–1999)
Test debut (cap 346)	26 January 1989 v West Indies
Last Test	2 January 1999 v England
ODI debut (cap 107)	26 December 1989 v Sri Lanka
Last ODI	24 May 1997 v England
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1985/86–1998/99	New South Wales
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA Matches 104 113 253 178 Runs scored 7,525 3,514 17,415 5,463 Batting average 43.49 32.23 41.96 31.57 100s/50s 19/40 1/28 41/97 1/47 Top score 334* 105 334* 105 Balls bowled 42 – 150 18 Wickets 1 – 2 0 Bowling average 26.00 – 38.50 – 5 wickets in innings 0 – 0 – 10 wickets in match 0 – 0 – Best bowling 1/11 – 1/4 – Catches/stumpings 157/0 56/0 350/0 98/0
Medal record Men's Cricket Representing  Australia ICC Cricket World Cup Runner-up 1996 India-Pakistan-Sri Lanka
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 1 September 2007

Mark Anthony Taylor AO (born 27 October 1964) is a former Australian cricketer^[1] and current Nine Network commentator. He was the captain of the Australian squad which finished as runners-up at the 1996 Cricket World Cup.

He was Test opening batsman from 1988 to 1999, as well as captain from 1994 to 1999, succeeding Allan Border. His predominant fielding position was first slip. He was widely regarded as an instrumental component in Australia's rise to Test cricket dominance, and his captaincy was regarded as adventurous and highly effective. However, he was considered less than ideal for One-Day International cricket and was eventually dropped as one-day captain after a 0–3 drubbing at the hands of England in 1997.

He moved to Wagga Wagga in 1972 and played for Lake Albert Cricket Club.^[2] His debut was for New South Wales in 1985.

He retired from Test cricket on 2 February 1999. In 104 Test matches, he scored 7,525 runs with a batting average of 43.49, including 19 centuries and 40 fifties. He was also an excellent first slip – his 157 catches, at the time, a Test record (now held by Rahul Dravid). In contrast to his predecessor Allan Border, who acquired the nickname 'Captain Grumpy', Taylor won plaudits for his always cheerful and positive demeanour. His successor, Steve Waugh, further honed the Australian team built by Border and Taylor and went on to set numerous records for victories as captain. Having been named Australian of the Year in 1999, he is now a cricket commentator for the Nine Network, and former Director of Cricket Australia.^[3]