Taylor quits County cricket for Zim
Brendan Taylor has ended his contract with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club officially to return home to Zimbabwe for family reasons.
The 31-year-old Zimbabwean’s contract was due to expire at the end of the 2017 season, but he was granted permission to end the contract with immediate effect.
“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,” Taylor, who was the club’s first ever batsman to register centuries in his first two games, said yesterday.
“Winning two trophies for Notts in these past few months, including one at Lord’s, has been a real highlight in my career, and given me moments that I will never forget.
“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.
Taylor played a vital role in Notts Outlaws’ NatWest t20 Blast and Royal London One-Day Cup campaign this year with 351 runs in the T20 format, which also included a significant 65, en route a record 132-run partnership with Samit Patel (64*) against Birmingham Bears on the Finals Day. He also scored the Club’s fourth-highest List A score of 154 in the 50-over quarter-final win at Somerset, amassing 376 runs in the tournament.
“We are obviously disappointed to lose Brendan given the significant impact he has had, but we also respect his wishes in relation to his family,” said Director of Cricket Mick Newell. “I know he has given many members and spectators great pleasure with some of the superb innings he has played and we wish him every future success.”
Cricbuzz had also reported earlier in July that one of Zimbabwe’s former star players in Taylor or Kyle Jarvis is likely to return to the country to once again play international cricket for Zimbabwe.
Fast bowler Jarvis played eight Tests and 24 one-day internationals for Zimbabwe before joining Lancashire on a Kolpak deal in 2013, while Taylor used the same route to sign for Nottinghamshire after the 2015 World Cup. Both players were then unhappy with the way the game was being administered in Zimbabwe when they left, but improved governance under the tenure of ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani has created confidence, which could play a major role in Taylor returning.
Taylor could be eligible for Zimbabwe’s Test series against Windies if his anticipated deal with Zimbabwe Cricket can be finalised in time.
