Banned Superstar Set For Sensational Return At Age Of 39 ; Targets 2027 ODI WC

Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor’s playing career was thought to be done when he was handed a three-and-a-half-year ban by ICC in 2022 for failing to report a corrupt approach, but in what is shaping up to be one of the stories of the year already, the wicketkeeper-batter is targeting an international comeback at the age of 39.

Taylor’s ongoing ban ends in July, and while he initially thought to dive into the world of coaching, he has been convinced by Zimbabwe Cricket's MD Givemore Makon to pick up the bat and put on the Zimbabwean colours once again.

"I still want to play and I believe I could make an impact as a player," Taylor told ESPNcricinfo. 

"I look at where I'm at physically and mentally and if I didn't feel I could do it, I wouldn't bother. Givemore has really supported me on this. He sort of shut down the coaching role for now and said, 'Can you play and try to push yourself up until the 2027 World Cup?' Granted I'll be 41 then but with sobriety, I'm living my truest form."

Despite the ban in 2022, Taylor’s legacy as an Zimbabwean all-time-great is set in stone already, with him having amassed a whopping 9,938 runs across formats in international cricket. 

Yet one major factor that’s driven Taylor to work hard towards a return is the prospect of playing in a home ODI World Cup in 2027. The 39-year-old has an incredible ODI World Cup record, averaging 46 while scoring 690 across three World Cups, but he is keen to further extend his legacy, this time in front of the home fans. As co-hosts, Zimbabwe have already qualified for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

"Having a home World Cup is quite special and we've had some heartache over these last few World Cups so hopefully we can turn that around," he said. 

"The balance in our group is, I think, the best it has ever been and there's a huge drive from Zimbabwe Cricket to get this right and get things in place. For Givemore, this World Cup means the whole world to him. He just wants to get this right and put on a good show and I want to be reciprocal in that."

Having seen his career take an ugly turn three years back at a time that was crucial for Zimbabwe cricket, the former captain now wants to right the wrongs.

 "I wish I had offered a bit more to Zimbabwe cricket. I've apologised and moved forward from that and I want to work with them,” he said.