Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor is set to make a dramatic return to international cricket in the second Test against New Zealand in Bulawayo on August 7, marking the end of a three-and-a-half-year exile due to an anti-corruption ban.
Taylor, 39, completed his ICC-imposed suspension on July 25 after being sanctioned for failing to report a corrupt approach and for drug-related misconduct. His return has been welcomed by Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine, who praised Taylor’s determination and personal transformation.
“He’ll obviously be available for the second Test,” Ervine said. “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.”
Despite not featuring in any representative cricket since his abrupt retirement in September 2021, Taylor has been training independently using the facilities at an elite school in Harare. Earlier this year, he told ESPNcricinfo that he was fitter than ever after undergoing rehabilitation for drug and alcohol abuse.
Zimbabwe had already named a 16-member squad for the two-Test series, with wicketkeeper-batter Tafadzwa Tsiga starting in the first match. Taylor’s likely return at his usual No. 4 position may push the batting line-up down one spot, with selectors needing to find the right balance to maintain enough bowling depth.
Speaking in March, Taylor had stressed he wasn’t expecting to walk back into the side, saying he hoped to return as an act of service. “I’ve been humbled properly,” he admitted. “I look forward to really just adding value, which I probably didn’t do to the best of my ability when I was there before.”
Taylor brings significant experience, having played 34 Tests between 2004 and 2021, scoring 2,320 runs at an average of 36.25, including six centuries. One of his standout moments came in 2011, when he scored an unbeaten 105 in Zimbabwe’s comeback Test against Bangladesh after a six-year absence from the format.
His return comes during a packed calendar for Zimbabwe, who have already played seven Tests this year, with just one win, and four more scheduled — two each against New Zealand and Afghanistan — surrounding the T20 World Cup Qualifiers in September.
While Taylor is not expected to feature in Zimbabwe’s T20 plans, his experience could prove vital in the ODI setup, particularly with the 2027 World Cup on the horizon.