Mark Taylor (cricketer)

Mark Anthony "Tubby" Taylor (born 27 October, 1964 in Leeton, New South Wales) was an Australian cricket player and Test opening batsman from 1988–1999, as well as captain from 1994–1999, succeeding Allan Border. 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.

Related Topics:
27 October - 1964 - Leeton, New South Wales - Australian - Cricket - Test - Batsman - 1988 - 1999 - 1994 - Allan Border - Australia

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His debut was for New South Wales in 1985.

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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 Mark Waugh).

Related Topics:
2 February - 1999 - First slip - Mark Waugh

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Highlights of his career include the first test victory against the West Indies in 1995, 839 runs against England in the 1989 Ashes series (helping Australia to a 4-0 Ashes win), and equalling the Australian record score of 334 against Pakistan in 1999 (Taylor declared the innings closed with his score the same as the record set by Sir Donald Bradman, although, unlike Bradman, Taylor was not out). Both of these records were subsequently surpassed by Matthew Hayden's then-world record of 380 in 2003.

Related Topics:
West Indies - 1995 - England - Ashes series - Pakistan - Donald Bradman - Matthew Hayden - 2003

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He was named Australian of the Year in 1999.

Related Topics:
Australian of the Year - 1999

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He is now a cricket commentator for the Nine Network.

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A portrait of Mark Taylor was hung in the 2000 Archibald Prize.

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