Brendan Taylor (Source: @ICC/X.com)
Playing this last one-day match four years ago, former Zimbabwean skipper Brendan Taylor is all set to make his ODI comeback. The wicketkeeper-batter has been included in the upcoming two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, whereas he essentially made his Test comeback against New Zealand.
Taylor Returns To ODI Setup After Four Long Years
After serving his three-and-a-half-year ban set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for corruption and doping-related charges, former Zimbabwean legend Brendan Taylor is all set to make his comeback in the ODI format. To the unversed, Taylor recently played in the second Test against New Zealand, where he scored 44 and 7 runs, respectively, in the two innings against the BlackCaps; however, couldn't prevent a crushing defeat against the visitors.
Now, the Zimbabwean side are all set to play Sri Lanka in the two-match ODI series beginning on August 29th, with the second game scheduled for August 31st, both in Harare. The teams will then engage in a three-match T20I series to be played at the same venue on September 3rd, 6th, and 7th, respectively.
Taylor last featured in an ODI game against Ireland in September 2021 at Belfast, following which he decided to announce his international retirement as the ICC then slapped him with a ban for three and a half years.
Furthermore, for Zimbabwe, the return of Richard Ngarava, alongside Blessing Muzarabani, is a big plus. Clive Madande, Tony Munyonga, Brad Evans, and uncapped Ernest Masuku are also in the side for these two 50-over contests. Meanwhile, the side will be overseen by skipper Craig Ervine.
As for Zimbabwe, they are coming off some poor results in the past, where they couldn't win even a single game in the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa and New Zealand, while they were defeated in all four Tests against both sides, the Proteas and the BlackCaps at home, as their string of losses continued.
Brendan's Solid Stats In One-Day Cricket
Taylor, the veteran Zimbabwean, has featured in 205 ODIs so far and scored 6,684 runs at an average of 35.55, while striking at 76.64, with 39 half-centuries and 11 centuries to his name, with a best score of 145 not out. Along with that, he has enforced 29 stumpings and taken 133 catches in this format, as the 39-year-old is likely to add more to the tally.
Meanwhile, in the other formats, the right-hander has played a total of 45 T20I matches and 35 Tests, while scoring 934 runs and 2,371 runs, respectively.
Zimbabwe Squad For Sri Lanka ODIs
Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Trevor Gwandu, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande, Ernest Masuku, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams
.jpg?type=mq "Arnav Chopra")
