Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOLLOWING the end of his three and half year ban from cricket on Saturday, Zimbabwe’s legendary batter Brendan Taylor is back in national colours.
The 39 year old veteran is with the Chevrons squad in Bulawayo as they are preparing to face New Zealand in a two-match Test series scheduled to get underway at Queens Sports Club on Wednesday.
Although it is not yet confirmed whether Taylor will play this series or not, Zimpapers Sports Hub understands that he is likely to play and might also be considered for the second Test match scheduled for August 7 to 11.
Yesterday, he was practicing with the team as they held their session in the afternoon and when a Zimpapers Sports Hub team arrived at the city’s ceremonial home of cricket, Taylor had his keeping gloves on before going on to the nets.
The upcoming series will mark the first Test meeting between the Chevrons and the Blackcaps since July-August 2016, when the visitors claimed a 2-0 series win at the same venue.
Going into this series, New Zealand enjoy an upper hand over the hosts having won 11 of the 17 Test meetings. Six games were draws and Zimbabwe are yet to taste red-ball victory over the Oceanic nation.
The Chevrons go into this series at the back of a poor run in form in the longest version of the game. They have won one Test in their previous eight games. From the eight, five were played at home, all at Queens Sports Club and the latest was a 2-0 loss at the hands of South Africa last month.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket announced that batting all-rounder Michael Bracewell is set to replace the injured Glenn Philips for the first Test.
Bracewell was not considered in the original squad due to his commitments with The Hundred overlapping with the two-Test series in Bulawayo.
“The first Test gets underway on Wednesday.
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said Bracewell is a strong replacement for Phillips.
“Glenn’s injury provided a gap in the Test squad and Michael is the closest like-for-like replacement. Michael’s experience and skillset will be a great asset and allows us to keep the same balance of the team.
“Given he’s here with the T20 squad and his availability aligned for the first Test, we are using the opportunity to include him in the squad.
“We will get through the first Test and then make a decision whether we will replace him for the second Test,” said Walters.
Bracewell will depart Zimbabwe after the conclusion of the first Test and join the Southern Brave ahead of their first game in The Hundred.
