Renowned Zimbabwe batsman Brendan Taylor is ready to make a highly anticipated comeback to international cricket as Zimbabwe prepare to face New Zealand in the second Test starting today.
Taylor, who has completed a three-and-a-half-year suspension, stands just 62 runs away from joining the elite 10,000-run club in international cricket — a milestone achieved by only two other Zimbabweans to date.
The former Zimbabwe captain became eligible for selection after completing his suspension, which was handed down by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaches of its Anti-Corruption and Anti-Doping Codes. Since then, Taylor has undergone a thorough rehabilitation programme and demonstrated a commitment to personal growth, accountability, and restoring the trust of both his teammates and supporters.
Taylor’s comeback adds valuable experience and skill to Zimbabwe’s squad at a time when the team is looking to regain momentum in the longest format. With 9,938 international runs to his name, Taylor is already Zimbabwe’s third-highest run-scorer. He averages 34.15 across all formats, with 17 centuries and 57 half-centuries, and a career-best score of 171.
If he reaches the 10,000-run mark, Taylor will join Zimbabwean greats Andy Flower and Grant Flower in the record books. Andy Flower leads the list with 11,580 runs in 276 matches at an average of 40.63, while Grant Flower finished his career with 10,028 runs in 288 appearances, averaging 32.03.
In Test cricket, Taylor has scored 2,320 runs in 34 matches, averaging 36.25. His Test record includes six centuries and 12 fifties, making him the fourth-highest scorer for Zimbabwe in the format. Andy Flower again leads here with 4,794 runs in 63 Tests, including 12 hundreds and a top score of 232*.
Zimbabwe, currently ranked 12th in Test cricket, are not part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), which includes only the top nine teams. However, the team is aiming for consistent performances to push for future inclusion. Their recent form has been troubling — losing five of their last eight Tests and struggling with batting collapses. Alarmingly, they have failed to post a 300-run total in any of their 16 innings this year.
Despite having experienced players like captain Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, and Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe’s batting has been underwhelming. The return of Taylor is expected to bring balance and stability to a fragile lineup. Young talents like Brian Bennett, Nick Welch, and Ben Curran have shown promise, but the side is in need of match-winning contributions.
Zimbabwe will also face Sri Lanka at home later in the season, adding pressure to find form and confidence. A strong performance against New Zealand, who lead the series 1-0, will be crucial.
Zimbabwe Squad for 2nd Test vs New Zealand: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), SikandarRaza, TafadzwaTsiga (wk), Newman Nyamhuri, Vincent Masekesa, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga, Brendan Taylor, Wellington Masakadza, Roy Kaia, TanunurwaMakoni, Clive Madande, Trevor Gwandu. All eyes will be on Brendan Taylor as he steps back onto the international stage, chasing not only personal redemption but also a historic milestone.
