Zimbabwe’s veteran batter Brendan Taylor is poised to script a remarkable comeback to international cricket as he returns to the national squad for the second Test against New Zealand, beginning Friday. After serving a three-and-a-half-year suspension for breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption and Anti-Doping Codes, Taylor is back with a chance to etch his name in the history books by becoming only the third Zimbabwean to score 10,000 international runs.
Taylor’s inclusion comes as Zimbabwe trails 0-1 in the two-match Test series and desperately seeks a turnaround. The 38-year-old has already amassed 9,938 runs in 284 international matches, including 17 centuries and 57 fifties, with a batting average of 34.15. He needs just 62 more runs to join legends Andy Flower (11,580) and Grant Flower (10,028) in Zimbabwe’s elite 10,000-run club.
Taylor’s Redemption Adds Strength to Zimbabwe’s Wobbly Line-Up
Taylor last played for Zimbabwe in 2021 before being sanctioned by the ICC. Since then, he has completed a detailed rehabilitation programme, showing “a strong commitment to personal growth, accountability, and regaining trust”, as cited by Zimbabwe Cricket.
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His return could not come at a better time. Despite experienced names like Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, and Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe’s batting woes have deepened. In 16 innings this year, the team has failed to cross the 300-run mark even once, getting bowled out in 15 innings.
Taylor, who has scored 2,320 runs in 34 Test matches at an average of 36.25, including six centuries, stands as the fourth-highest Test scorer for Zimbabwe behind Andy Flower’s 4,794 runs. His return is expected to bring balance and grit to a line-up that also includes rising talents like Brian Bennett, Nick Welch, and Ben Curran.
WTC Hopes in Sight as Zimbabwe Chases Historic Qualification
Ranked 12th in the ICC Test standings, Zimbabwe must break into the top nine to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC). Their track record in 2025 hasn’t been promising — five losses and just one win in the last eight Tests — but the upcoming fixtures against Sri Lanka and now New Zealand provide a critical window.
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Adding more narrative to this Test is Zimbabwe’s recent cricketing diplomacy. The squad now represents a blend of experienced campaigners and youngsters looking to establish themselves.
Zimbabwe vs New Zealand: Full Squads
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Newman Nyamhuri, Vincent Masekesa, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga, Brendan Taylor, Wellington Masakadza, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Clive Madande, Trevor Gwandu.
New Zealand: Will Young, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Tom Latham, Jacob Duffy, Ajaz Patel, Matthew Fisher.
