“I’m very, very sad to leave Zimbabwe cricket”
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Zimbabwe wicketkeeper-batsman Brendan Taylor has announced his retirement from international cricket.
Taylor scored a breathtaking 138 against India in his farewell match as Zimbabwe were knocked out of the World Cup.
It has been announced that Taylor has signed a three-year Kolpak deal with Nottinghamshire, which is still pending approval from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
If the deal goes through, Taylor will not be allowed to represent Zimbabwe in any format throughout those three years.
Speaking about his decision to retire, Taylor told ESPNcricinfo: “It’s been one of the biggest decisions I’ve had to make; in fact the biggest decision. I’ve always been very passionate about playing for Zimbabwe, I still am. I sat down with my wife and we decided to make this decision together.
“It hasn’t been easy. I feel very sad about it but at the same time very excited to be a part of one of the better county sides in England. They’ve welcomed me with open arms and I’m looking forward to cementing a good relationship with them over the next three years.
“But I’m very, very sad to leave Zimbabwe cricket. I’ve had some fond memories and I have some great friends here but life goes on and you have to try and make the best decisions for your family and moving forward.”
Prior to his retirement, Taylor had been very critical of Zimbabwe’s performance in the World Cup.
However, he believes that the team is in good hands with head coach Dav Whatmore and captain Elton Chigumbura.
“Zimbabwe is going to move forward with Dav Watmore, there’s no doubt about that. He’s been brilliant so far,” Taylor said. “We haven’t got the results we’d have liked to but he’s a very experienced coach and he knows how to get the best out of individuals. So I’ve no doubt that someone will come in and do a good job there.
“We’ve got a bit of depth there and some experienced players. The guys need to just step it up a little bit more, take more responsibility, but there’s no doubt that the talent’s there and some great times are around the corner for Zimbabwe cricket I feel.”
Meanwhile, Whatmore admitted that Zimbabwe will sorely miss Taylor in the future, especially since he has been the anchor of their middle order for a few years now.
“It is true we will be missing Brendon Taylor, who is be going to Nottingham and they are very very lucky to have him,” Whatmore said. “But, despite that, we feel that we have got a number of players who make this team really strong because of what they offer in terms of their all-round ability.”