Cremer delighted to have Taylor back

17 Sep, 2017 - 02:09 0 Views
Cremer delighted to have Taylor back Graeme Cremer

The Sunday News

Brando Taylor

Brendan Taylor

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE national cricket team coach, Heath Streak and his captain Graeme Cremer have expressed their delight at the return of former captain Brendan Taylor who was playing county cricket for Nottinghamshire in England since 2015.

Streak said Taylor’s vast knowledge of the game and his backing of Cremer as a former skipper is crucial to Zimbabwe’s success.

“I am elated to have Brendan back in Zimbabwe. His seniority and experience will be highly valued for the Chevrons and his support of Graeme Cremer as a former captain is key to our success, he brings stability and the fact that he can keep is added bonus,’’ said Streak.

Heath Streak

Heath Streak

Cremer said it was great to have Taylor back and the former captain will be an immense inclusion to the team. The current skipper indicated that he has always turned to Taylor for advice since he has led the national team before.

“It’s good to finally get him back, it will be a good addition to the team, he will be an asset like he did before, I am really excited. He has always been really supportive, he is experienced, I always contact him to get his views and it’s very handy to have someone that you can turn to. We are good friends, it’s quite a good relationship that we have that will help the team,’’ Cremer said.

Graeme Cremer

Graeme Cremer

Nottinghamshire announced last Thursday that they had released Taylor back to Zimbabwe with immediate effect. On the same day, Zimbabwe Cricket released a statement stating that they had contracted Taylor to play international and domestic cricket in the country. Investigations by this publication have revealed that the 31-year-old has been handed a four-year deal by ZC.

Taylor turned his back on Zimbabwe soon after representing the country at the 2015 World Cup staged in Australia and New Zealand. The right handed batsman had scored 433 runs at the global showpiece which was a record for Zimbabwe at any World Cup. He scored back to back hundreds against Ireland and India at the tournament.

Before his early retirement at the age of 29, Taylor had played 23 Tests, 167 One Day Internationals and 26 T20Is since he made his international debut against Sri Lanka in 2004. Taylor posted on social media site Twitter that he had now committed to finish off his cricket career in Zimbabwe.

“Just to clear the air, I am returning to represent my country again after 3 years and this time I plan to finish my career with @ZimCricketv,’’ posted Taylor last Friday.

Also on the way is pace bowler Kyle Jarvis whom ZC have offered a three-year contract. Jarvis turned his back on Zimbabwe in August 2013 and has been playing for English county side Lancashire on a Kolpak contract.

Taylor and Jarvis are expected to make their international cricket action when Zimbabwe take on West Indies in two Tests at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo at the end of next month.

With Zimbabwe having to go through the qualifiers in order to make it to the 2019 World Cup in England, ZC are going all out to ensure that they secure the services of key players who had turned their backs on the country. Also being targeted for a possible international cricket comeback is Sean Ervine who has not played for Zimbabwe since 2004.

The national team starts camp on Tuesday ahead of three limited overs fixtures against Netherlands at the end of the month with Taylor likely to play against the Dutch at Harare Sports Club should Streak feel that he requires some game time.
— @Mdawini_29

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds