Brendan Taylor will pull on a Zimbabwe one-day shirt for the first time in almost four years when Sri Lanka arrive in Harare next week. The 38-year-old keeper-batter has finished his ICC anti-corruption ban and was immediately drafted into a 16-strong squad for two ODIs on 29 and 31 August, followed by three T20Is in early September. Craig Ervine keeps the captaincy.
“We are delighted to welcome Brendan back into the fold,” Zimbabwe convener of selectors David Mutendera said in a statement. “His experience and quality are invaluable, especially in pressure situations, and his presence will no doubt lift the dressing room.”
Key selections
• Taylor replaces no one directly but slots into a middle order that has missed his composure since September 2021, his last ODI against Ireland.
• Seamer Ernest Masuku, still uncapped at international level, receives a first call-up.
• Clive Madande, Tony Munyonga and Brad Evans also return after limited opportunities earlier in the year.
The group is Zimbabwe’s first for coloured-clothing cricket since February’s 1-1 draw with Ireland. Form since then has been lean: heavy home Test defeats to South Africa and New Zealand and an 0-4 return in a T20 tri-series. Confidence, unsurprisingly, is fragile.
“This squad has been selected to give us the best chance against a strong Sri Lankan side,” Mutendera added. “We have combined proven match-winners with players who are hungry to make their mark, and that mix of experience and energy will be crucial as we transition from red-ball cricket to the fast pace of ODIs.”
Head coach Justin Sammons struck a similar note of realism. “We’ve just come off a tough red-ball series and now it’s about adjusting to the tempo and intensity of one-day cricket,” he said. “Clarity in roles will be key – each player must understand exactly what’s required. Get that right, and I believe we can compete strongly against a very disciplined Sri Lankan outfit.”
Analysis
Taylor’s recall was inevitable once his suspension ended. Even at the back end of his career he remains Zimbabwe’s most accomplished white-ball batter, averaging just under 36 with 11 ODI hundreds. How quickly he rediscovers rhythm after limited domestic cricket may decide whether Zimbabwe can post the 270-plus totals usually needed against Sri Lanka’s tidy attack.
Masuku’s selection acknowledges a thin pace pool. The 25-year-old can nudge 140kph, useful on a Harare surface that often grips. Expect Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava to share the new ball, with Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza handling bulk spin overs.
Squad in full
Craig Ervine (capt), Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Trevor Gwandu, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande, Ernest Masuku, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams.
Short series, small margins – but with Taylor back and Sri Lanka in transition themselves, Zimbabwe sense an opening.
