USA's Steven Taylor: ' I'm representing my parents, my Caribbean identity '

Taylor describes taking on Akeal Hosein as" I know most of his techniques" and that he will undoubtedly be hunting him" second ball."

When Steven Taylor squares up against the Barbados team he grew up supporting on Friday nights in the T20 World Cup 2024, the opening from the USA may sing David Rudder's Rally Round the West Indies. Taylor, born in Florida to Caribbean relatives, has also laid down a symbol for his companion Akeal Hosein, whom he said he would be "hunting, first game" at Kensington Oval.

Taylor was brought up on America's south-east shoreline but was a West Indies admirer on account of his family lineage. He said it will be" a wonderful feeling" to play against West Indies on Friday:" I'm representing my parents, my Jamaican history," he said. " At the end of the day, I may be born American, but I speak more Caribbean than I speak American often. "

They will need to get both of their remaining games in order to advance to the semi-finals, but losing does not.

"[ I remember ] growing up, watching [Brian ] Lara, Chris Gayle," Taylor said. " To have the chance of playing against [ West Indies ] now and on a World Cup stage, on the highest stage of life … I might beat them. It might be a wonderful experience.

Taylor was a member of the USA team that lost to West Indies by 39 plays in the previous year's 50-over World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe. The margin of defeat demonstrated how strong they were against the opposition. At the end of the day," we gave them a battle," and we are confident that we will be able to defeat them if we play some quality cricket that morning. "

Speaking about playing West Indies, he said," I used to perform the song'rally' growing up as a child, but at the end of the day, I'm representing my true country, where I was born and grown, and I really hope that we can travel over the series against West Indies. " Asked if he would be singing the song on Friday, he said with a smiles," I did next day, but in my mind. "

Taylor has played for Jamaica in three distinct CPL companies and has also played local cricket for the country. He is excited to take on some familiar faces, especially Hosein, his previous Barbados Tridents team-mate. " He's a good friend of mine," Taylor said. I'll get hunting him first because I know most of his games, he says. "

" We know that we're going to be the losers for all clubs that we play against in the Super Eights. So, we're just here to enjoy excellent cricket and if we go in, we win; if we lose, we lose"

Steven Taylor

He is even looking forward to coming up against Andre Russell, another previous team-mate:" I played with him most time," Taylor said. " I would n't say I look up to him, but he's more of a big brother to me as well. "

In their opening Super Eight match against South Africa in Antigua, USA lost by 18 runs to South Africa, but they seized confidence from Andries Gous ' 80 not out and strong comeback with the ball after a costly start.

" I do say we're playing fine cricket and the team is gelling also up," Taylor said. " At the end of the day, we know that we're going to be the underdog for all clubs that we play against in the Super Eights. But, we're just here to play excellent cricket and if we go in, we win; if we lose, we lose. "