Chronicle Editor
ZIMBABWE Cricket yesterday announced their reunion with their star batsman Brendan Taylor, two years after he left to play county cricket in England.
Taylor is by far the best batsman in Zimbabwe cricket today. ”Zimbabwe Cricket is pleased to announce that following the end of his contract with and release from English county Nottinghamshire, ZC has formally contracted Brendan Taylor to play domestic and international cricket in and for Zimbabwe,” ZC said in a statement.
Chevrons coach Heath Streak said it was a huge development. “I am elated to have Brendan Taylor back in a Zimbabwe jersey. We welcome him back and we are looking forward to him making a big difference for us and spending the rest of his playing career in his country of birth.”
His English county club, Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, revealed yesterday that Taylor was returning home with immediate effect. ”The 31-year-old has asked and been granted permission to be released from his contract – due to expire at the end of the 2017 season – for family reasons,” the Nottingham Post reported.
”Taylor has played a key role in the Notss Outlaws’ NatWest T20 Blast and Royal London One-Day Cup white ball trophy double this summer.
”The right-hander scored 351 runs in the T20 format, including a vital 65 against Birmingham Bears in a record Final Days partnership of 132 along with Samit Patel, who hit 64 not out.
”Former Zimbabwe international Taylor also hammered the Club’s fourth highest List A score of 154 in the Royal London 50-over quarter-final win at Somerset, contributing 376 runs in that competition in all.” Taylor told the newspaper family interests persuaded him to return home.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Trent Bridge where I have made some fantastic friends among the dressing room and Club staff during the three seasons I have been here,” said Taylor.
“Winning two trophies for Notts in these past few months, including one at Lord’s, has been a real highlight in my career, and given me moments that I will never forget.
“But being away from my wife and children has proven to be very difficult for me and I have reached a point in my life where I must consider their needs.”
Director of Cricket Mick Newell said: “We are obviously disappointed to lose Brendan given the significant impact he has had, but we also respect his wishes in relation to his family.
“I know he has given many Members and spectators great pleasure with some of the superb innings he has played and we wish him every future success.”
Taylor’s wife and four kids have remained resident in Harare during his time playing in England. England batsman Alex Hayles said it was a bad day for the county.
”Gutted to see @BrendanTaylor86 leave. One of the best blokes I’ve shared a changing room with. See you in Stellenbosch in November,” Hayles said on Twitter. Taylor is set to also play in the South African Global T-20 League in November and December for the Stellenbosch Monarchs.
Meanwhile, ZC said they had revoked the authority they had given their players to play in Afghanistan in the wake of a deadly blast in Kabul outside a cricket ground.
”Following the tragic security incident in Afghanistan yesterday (on Wednesday), Zimbabwe Cricket has with immediate effect revoked the No Objection Certificates that it had previously issued to nine Zimbabwean players involved in the ongoing Shpageeza Cricket League in Afghanistan,” ZC said.
”With the full understanding of and help from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the players – who had all travelled to Afghanistan in their individual capacities and not as representatives of Zimbabwe or ZC – are now on their way back home. ZC will not under any circumstances compromise on matters of player safety.
”We fully and sincerely sympathise with the ACB during this difficult time for them and assure them of our full support in the matter.” – Sports Reporter/Nottingham Post/Zimcricket.
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