Brendan Taylor to play 2nd Test for Zimbabwe against New Zealand after the conclusion of his 3-and-a-half year ban.
Brendan Taylor ban ends, set to play second Test against NZ.
Following a three-and-a-half-year suspension for violating the ICC’s anti-corruption policy, former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor is scheduled to make his comeback to international cricket in the second Test match against New Zealand.
Taylor, whose ban expired on July 25, is expected to be included in Zimbabwe’s side for the August 7 second Test match against New Zealand in Bulawayo.
“He’ll obviously be available for the second Test,” Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine said of Taylor’s return to the side. “But I also know how hard he’s worked in his individual capacity – especially over the last eight, ten [or] 12 months – in order for this to happen. I’m very excited to have him come back into the space in the next few days, and looking forward to what he has to contribute towards the team and the group.”
Since his sudden retirement in September 2021, Taylor, now 39, has not participated in any representative cricket matches. Additionally, due to the terms of his ban, he has been unable to train with any domestic or national teams. However, Taylor has made use of facilities at a prestigious independent school in Harare, and earlier this year, he told that his recovery from drug and alcohol misuse has left him more fit than ever.
For the two Test matches against New Zealand, Zimbabwe has already announced a 16-man squad that includes a first-choice wicketkeeper-batter, Tafadzwa Tsiga, who began the first Test, and a rather potent batting lineup.
In order to prolong the batting lineup, Taylor may just force everyone down from Sean Williams if he is put back at number four, where he spent the majority of his Test career. To make sure they have enough bowling options, Zimbabwe will need to adjust their strategy.
After believing that his actions had let Zimbabwe cricket down, Taylor had stated that he did not expect to return to the starting lineup and that he wanted to play again as a service.
Taylor had said he did not expect to walk back into the XI, and wanted to play again as an act of service after feeling as though he had let Zimbabwe cricket down by his actions.