Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S Chevrons are going to an English town where 10 years ago, one of their finest batters ended up sleeping in a stranger’s car while going back home after having a drink or two.
Brendan Taylor was then playing for Nottinghamshire.
The Chevrons are set for an historic four-day Test against England in Nottingham later this month.
Ten years ago, in August, Taylor raised a few eyebrows with his choice of bed for the night.
The then 29-year-old was found curled up on the backseat of a shocked commuter’s car.
Taylor climbed into the Chevrolet Matiz in the early hours to sleep off the effects of a heavy night of drinking.
The dazed sportsman was woken up by police after the vehicle’s owner, Michael Whitaker, made the bizarre discovery as he was leaving for work just before 9am.
Taylor, who had been part of the Nottinghamshire side that had qualified for the Royal London One-Day Cup semi-finals the night before by beating Durham at Trent Bridge, told officers he had been out celebrating – and taken shelter in the unlocked blue hatchback after getting lost in pouring rain.
The embarrassed cricketer apologised to Mr Whitaker and offered to get the car valeted.
He was given help getting home after the police decided no offence had been committed.
Whitaker, then a 45-year-old business development manager and father-of-two, said: “I had to do a double-take when I opened the door.
“I did not know what to do. Someone I didn’t know had fallen asleep in our car.”
Whitaker called the police before hiding around the corner to await their arrival.
“An officer tried to wake him up and when he came round, he was dazed,” he said.
“It was the most bizarre situation I think I have ever been in.
“Neither myself, the police or Brendan knew what to do.
“I don’t think he knew where he was but he was very apologetic and it quickly became clear that it was very innocent.
“Realising who it was made it even funnier because how often do you find an international cricket star asleep in your car?
“We just see the funny side of this now. It was one of the best excuses to be late for work ever.”
The car, which Whitaker said was unlocked ‘on this one rare occasion’, was not damaged during the player’s stay and officers helped him to his home nearby.
A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “We attended the scene but concluded that no offence had been committed. The man in the car was extremely apologetic and even offered to get the car valeted.”
