Brendan Taylor

Infobox Cricketer


nationality = Zimbabwean
country = Zimbabwe
country abbrev = ZIM
name = Brendan Taylor
picture = Cricket_no_pic.pngbatting style = Right hand bat
bowling style = Right arm off break
balls = true
tests = 10
test runs = 422
test bat avg = 21.10
test 100s/50s = 0/3
test top score = 78
test overs = 42
test wickets = -
test bowl avg = -
test 5s = -
test 10s = -
test best bowling = -
test catches/stumpings = 7/-
ODIs = 63
ODI runs = 1601
ODI bat avg = 28.08
ODI 100s/50s = 0/11
ODI top score = 98
ODI overs = 210
ODI wickets = 8
ODI bowl avg = 28.00
ODI 5s = 0
ODI 10s = 0
ODI best bowling = 3/54
ODI catches/stumpings = 39/12
date = April 24
year = 2007
source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/55814.html Cricinfo

Brendan Ross Murray Taylor (born February 6, 1986 in Harare) is a Zimbabwean cricketer.

Taylor made his debut for Zimbabwe at a time when many of the country's leading players rebelled against Zimbabwe Cricket (formally known as the Zimbabwean Cricket Union) and made themselves unavailable to represent the side. Many young players were prematurely brought into the team, therefore weakening the side, especially at Test level.

He is a good all-round player, who has in the past been successful bowling off-break deliveries. But his bowling has been put on hold, as without Tatenda Taibu, he is the country's first choice wicket-keeper.

Despite his young age, Taylor is among the most experienced players in the current Zimbabwean team, and is considered the team's best batsman with 11 ODI half-centuries to his name, and a top ODI score of 98.

In the Test arena, Taylor's performances have been somewhat below what one would expect of a player at Test level. However, this can be attributed to his young age and premature elevation to the national team. When Zimbabwe return to Test cricket in late 2007, Taylor will be an important part of the Zimbabwe batting lineup, and it is likely he will be able to improve on his past Test performances.

In July/August 2007, Taylor was re-selected for the Zimbabwe Select team against South Africa A, having not been available against India A. He scored just 15 runs (2 and 13) in the second first-class match, having been overlooked for the first game. With Tatenda Taibu back in the team, Taylor was no longer looked to behind the stumps.

In the ODI series against the full South Africa team, the entire Zimbabwe squad performed above themselves (including their highest ODI score against South Africa), but falling short on all 3 occasions. Taylor too had a good series, ending as the 5th highest run-scorer, with 105 runs at 35.00.

Taylor's first Twenty20 outing was [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/rsavzim/engine/match/255960.html vs Eagles, Sept 2006] and the second was [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/264065.html vs Bangladesh, Dec 2006] ).

As of June 2008, Taylor joined the Lashings World XI based in England. This was seen as somewhat controversial as claims of tension between Taylor and Zimbabwe Cricket Board, due to the board policy of denying players to play abroad.

Zimbabwe def. Bangladesh, Harare 2006

In the 3rd ODI of the Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe (2006), Taylor played a crucial role in a Zimbabwe win. A close game throughout, Zimbabwe required 5 runs from the final ball, effectively meaning a 6 needed to be hit to win the game. Taylor successfully hit 6 off the bowling of Mashrafe Mortaza on the last ball, giving Zimbabwe the victory, and contributing to their series win.

ICC World Cup 2007

After a relatively unsuccessful series at home against Bangladesh in February 2007, in which there were some concerns over his commitment to the team, he was still selected for the 15 man squad to tour to the West Indies for the World Cup. With over 60 ODIs under his belt, he is the team's most experienced player.

After a decent World Cup campaign, including 87 runs from 3 matches at an average of 29.00 (including a half-century; 50), Taylor went to play club cricket in Holland, despite a ruling by the Zimbabwe Cricket board that any player leaving the country to play club cricket would be overlooked for selection.

Zimbabwe def. Australia, ICC World Twenty20

In to the action early, Taylor caught Matthew Hayden off the bowling of Chigumbura. Taylor was also involved in a first class stumping, which saw Andrew Symonds depart. Taylor also made a crucial run out, with only one stump to aim at, to dismiss Mitchell Johnson.

With Zimbabwe restricting Australia to just 138, by Twenty20 standards a poor score, Taylor also opened their innings. While Vusi Sibanda got the ball rolling with several quick boundaries, Taylor was the key man, and batted out the innings. With both teams reasonably even placed for the first dozen overs, it was when Brad Hodge came on to bowl his gentle offspin in the 15th over that Taylor turned the match in Zimbabwe's favour. 15 was scored from the over, including two massive sixes by Taylor, the longest of which went 77 metres.

With 12 runs required from the final over, Taylor played a cheeky sweep which went for 4 from the first ball. Followed by a single, a two and another single, Zimbabwe needed 4 runs from 2 balls with Taylor facing, Chigumbura at the non-strikers end. With a ball to spare, 4 leg-byes were scored, with the ball running down to fine leg. Taylor ended with 60 not out from 45 deliveries. His fine all round performance with the bat and gloves won him the man of the match award.

Domestic career

Taylor has been playing in Zimbabwe's domestic first-class competition, the Logan Cup, since 2001-02. His domestic one-day debut came for Mashonaland in 2003-04. [Brmtaylor.com [http://www.brmtaylor.com/domestic.html "Brendan Taylor - Domestic Stats"] ]

Overall, Taylor has scored 1116 first-class runs for Mashonaland and Mashonaland A. His domestic one-day form has not been quite as good, scoring just 109 runs from 8 innings.

References

External links

* [http://www.brmtaylor.com/ Brendan Taylor Website]