Taylor is Back

STAFF WRITER

The wait is over.

Brendan Taylor — Zimbabwe’s cricket icon and former batting lynchpin — is officially back in national colours.

Test captain Craig Ervine confirmed that the 39-year-old veteran will make his long-anticipated return in the second Test against New Zealand, marking a stirring comeback after serving a three-and-a-half-year suspension for breaching the ICC anti-corruption code.

Taylor’s ban expired on Saturday, clearing the path for one of Zimbabwe’s most accomplished cricketers to don the Chevrons jersey once again.

“He will be available for the second Test,” Ervine said. “I know how hard he has worked in his individual capacity over the last 8 to 12 months to make this happen. I’m excited to have him back in the squad and really looking forward to what he can contribute — not just with the bat, but to the group as a whole.”

Taylor has been training with the national squad in Bulawayo ahead of the series opener at Queens Sports Club and is already turning heads in the nets.

His return injects class, maturity, and a fighting edge into a Zimbabwe side determined to make a statement against the visiting Black Caps. More than just a name, Taylor’s presence reignites belief in the camp — and in the fans.

Before his suspension, Taylor was the bedrock of Zimbabwe’s Test batting lineup, renowned for his elegant stroke play, calm under pressure, and inspirational leadership. He remains the only Zimbabwean to have scored back-to-back hundreds in a World Cup and is still considered one of the country’s finest cricketing exports.

Taylor’s comeback also comes as a boost to a rejuvenated Test setup that sees the return of several key players, including Sikandar Raza, Ben Curran, and Brian Bennett.

Bennett, who featured in the South Africa Test earlier this year, returns after recovering from a concussion that ruled him out on day two of that match.

With Taylor’s re-entry, Zimbabwe’s batting order gains more than just runs — it regains a symbol of resilience and redemption.