Brendan Taylor, the star wicketkeeper-batter, is all set to make his ODI comeback for Zimbabwe. He will be part of the squad in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Brendan Taylor recently returned to international cricket after serving a ban for breaching the ICC’s anti-corruption code. He featured in the Bulawayo Test against New Zealand. His last ODI appearance was against Ireland in September 2021.
Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor is set for his much-anticipated return after being named in the 16-member squad for the two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Taylor has been out of action in the 50-overs format since featuring against Ireland in September 2021. David Mutendera, Zimbabwe convener of selectors, expressed his delight at Taylor’s return to the ODI squad.Welcoming Brendon Taylor back ahead of the series opener, he said,
“We are delighted to welcome Brendan back into the fold. His experience and quality are invaluable, especially in pressure situations, and his presence will no doubt lift the dressing room.”
Brendan Taylor, one of Zimbabwe’s most decorated batters, last featured in an ODI back in September 2021 against Ireland. His comeback is being seen as a major boost to the side, with the selectors hoping his wealth of experience will stabilise the batting order against a strong Sri Lankan unit.
Brendan Taylor marks his return to the ODI Team vs Sri Lanka
Before the New Zealand Test, Brendan Taylor had not played competitive cricket since his sudden retirement in September 2021. The terms of his ban prevented him from practicing with national or domestic teams. Earlier this month, Brendan Taylor scored 44 and 7 in the 2nd Test, as the Kiwis hammered Zimbabwe by an innings and 359 runs. Brendon Taylor owns 2,371 Test runs, the fourth-most for Zimbabwe in the format.
Since making his debut in 2004, Brendan Taylor has been a batting stalwart for Zimbabwe. The 39-year-old has the second-most runs for them in the format. He also owns 6,684 runs from 205 ODIs at an average of 35.55. The tally includes 11 hundreds and 39 half-centuries. Brendan Taylor will certainly have an eye on the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Zimbabwe reveal ODI squad for Sri Lanka series
Craig Ervine will lead a 16-member squad for the two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, to be held on August 29 and 31 at the Harare Sports Club. Wicketkeeper-batter Brendon Taylor marks his return to the ODI side while Richard Ngarava comes back from injury to boost the bowling attack alongside Blessing Muzarabani.
The squad also includes four players who did not feature in Zimbabwe’s ODI series against Ireland – Clive Madande, Tony Munyonga, Brad Evans and an uncapped seamer Ernest Masuku.
Zimbabwe ODI squad: Craig Ervine (Captain), Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Trevor Gwandu, Wesley Madhevere, Clive Madande, Ernest Masuku, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Brendon Taylor, Sean Williams.
Head coach Justin Sammons admitted that the change in format would test his players.
“We’ve just come off a tough red-ball series and now it’s about adjusting to the tempo and intensity of one-day cricket. Sri Lanka are a strong white-ball side and will punish any lapses, so we need to be sharp from ball one,” he said.
Captain Craig Ervine echoed those sentiments, highlighting the challenge of switching formats.
“It’s always a test to go from red-ball to white-ball cricket, especially against a team of Sri Lanka’s calibre. We need to stay flexible, back our plans and make the most of our home conditions to compete strongly,” Ervine remarked.
Zimbabwe last played ODI cricket in February before embarking on a string of seven Test matches. The two ODIs will be followed by a three-match T20I series in September, rounding off Sri Lanka’s tour.
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