Former Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Taylor is set to rejoin his national side after ending his contract with English county side Nottinghamshire, Zimbabwe Cricket announced.
“Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) is pleased to announce that following the end of his contract with and release from English county Nottinghamshire, ZC has formally contracted Brendan Taylor to play domestic and international cricket in and for Zimbabwe,” read a statement from the cricket board on Thursday.
Taylor signed with Notts in March 2015 on a Kolpak deal, in a move that was thought to have effectively ended his international career, but the 31-year-old batsman cited “family reasons” for his desire to return home, having helped the county club secure trophies this year in both the UK domestic one-day and Twenty20 competitions.
“Winning two trophies, including one at Lord’s, has been a real highlight in my career,” Taylor said in a statement. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Trent Bridge, where I have made some fantastic friends among the dressing room and club staff during the three seasons I have been here. “But being away from my wife and children has proven to be very difficult for me and I have reached a point in my life where I must consider their needs,” he added.
Commenting on the development, Zimbabwe coach and former fast bowler Heath Streak said: “ I am elated to have Brendan back in a Zimbabwe jersey. We welcome him back.”
As such, Taylor is most likely to make his comeback in national colours against the West Indies for the scheduled two-Test series next month.
Essex win English County Championship for first time in 25 years
Essex won their first English County Championship title since 1992 yesterday in their first season back in the top division. Ryan ten Doeschate’s team put themselves on the brink of the title by thumping Warwickshire by an innings inside three days at Edgbaston on Thursday but had to wait for the result from Taunton, where second-placed Lancashire were in action.
A seven-wicket win for Somerset means Essex, with eight wins under their belt, cannot be caught, even with two games to go. It is their seventh title, all their previous successes coming between 1979 and their last one in 1992 when they retained the championship during the all-conquering years of England stars such as Graham Gooch, Nasser Hussain and Derek Pringle.
Coach Chris Silverwood said he hoped his players could build a legacy to match former club greats. “Everyone talks about the (Keith) Fletcher era with Essex,” he said. “What I would love people to be doing in 20 years is talking about this era. Your Jamie Porters, your Dan Lawrences, your Tom Westleys. I want them talking about them. If they do that it means we’ve left a legacy behind and what more could you ask for?”
Brendan Taylor signed with Notts in March 2015 on a Kolpak deal.
