Brendan Ross Murray Taylor is professionally known as Brendan Taylor, is a Zimbabwean international cricketer who plays all formats of cricket for the Zimbabwe national team. He is also a former captain of the Zimbabwe team. He was born on 6 February 1986 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Taylor is a talented right-hand batsman and a part-time off-spinner. According to the former captain of Zimbabwe, Alistair Campbell, Taylor was the standout player for the last seven or eight years for the Zimbabwe cricket team.
He is known for his unorthodox shots, especially his ability to play upper cuts over the third man and ramp shots with elegance, which are often considered his trademark signature shots. His style of play and ability to make a substantial contribution with the bat often drew comparisons with that of Andy Flower.
He played for Zimbabwe in four ICC T20 World Cup tournaments in 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2014, as well as in ODIs in 2007, 2011, and 2015.
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Brendan Taylor Biography
| Full Name | Brendan Ross Murray Taylor |
| Name | Brendan Taylor |
| Date of Birth | February 6, 1986 |
| Age | 39 Years |
| Nationality | Zimbabwean |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.98 m) |
| Role | Batsman/Right-hand bat, Right-arm off-break Bowler |
| Team(s) | Sunrisers Hyderabad Chittagong Vikings |
| Family | (Spouse) – Kelly Anne Readings (Mother) – Debbie Taylor (Father) – Graham Taylor |
Brendan Taylor, one of Zimbabwe’s finest modern-era batsmen, captained the national team in ODIs until the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, taking over from Elton Chigumbura post-2011. He became the first Zimbabwean to score back-to-back ODI centuries, a record he achieved twice, in 2011 against New Zealand and again during the 2015 World Cup.
Taylor set a Zimbabwean World Cup record with 433 runs in the 2015 edition and holds the national record for most ODI centuries (11), surpassing Alistair Campbell’s 7. He also played T20 cricket for Wellington in New Zealand’s HRV Cup in 2011.
After briefly retiring post-2015 World Cup, he returned in 2017, ending his Nottinghamshire contract. IN 2018, he became the first Zimbabwean to score centuries in both innings of a test twice.
By 2020, with 17 international tons, he became Zimbabwe’s top century-scorer across all formats. He reached his 200th ODI in July 2021 and retired from international cricket after the third ODI against Ireland in September 2021.
Brendan Taylor Family
Brendan Taylor’s father’s name is Graham Taylor, and his mother’s name is Debbie Taylor, and his wife, Kelly Anne Readings, is a housewife, both having three children.
Early Career Summary
Brendan Taylor was mentored by Ian Campbell, the father of cricketer Alistair Campbell at Lilfordia School near Harare. He later attended St. John’s College, where he became a regular in Zimbabwe’s age-group teams and played in two Under-19 World Cups.
At just 15, he made his first-class debut for Mashonaland A, and the following year scored an unbeaten 200 in the Logan B Cup Division. Consistent Domestic performances and a player exodus led to his national call-up at 18.
International Career
Taylor made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka on 20 April 2004, but was dismissed for a duck by Chaminda Vas. He played his debut test on 6 May 2004, also against Sri Lanka.
Brendan Taylor made his debut for Zimbabwe during a period of internal turmoil when several senior players opted out of international duty. As a result, several young players, including Taylor, were fast-tracked into the national setup, which impacted the team’s test strength.
Despite not signing a new contract in 2006, Taylor was selected and eventually took over wicketkeeping duties after Tatenda Taibu’s temporary exit.
In the ODI series against South Africa’s main team, Taylor stood out, finishing as the fifth-highest scorer with 105 runs at an average of 35. His T20 debut came in 2006 against the Eagles, followed by a match against Bangladesh later that year.
Defeating Bangladesh 2006
In a thrilling third ODI against Bangladesh in 2006, Brendan Taylor secured a last-ball victory for Zimbabwe by hitting a six off Mashrafe Mortaza. He stayed unbeaten on 79 off 72 balls and was named Man of the Match, helping Zimbabwe clinch the series.
ICC World Cup 2007
Despite a poor series against Bangladesh and questions over his commitment, Taylor was selected for Zimbabwe’s World Cup squad. With over 60 ODIs played, he was their most experienced player. He scored 87 runs in 3 matches, including a half-century, before heading to the Netherlands to play club cricket, going against Zimbabwe Cricket directives.
Defeating Australia, 2007
Against Australia in the 2007 T20 World Cup, Taylor starred with bat and gloves. He took key catches, effected a stumping, and a crucial run-out. Chasing 139, he led the charge with an unbeaten 60 off 45 balls, leading Zimbabwe to a surprise win over Australia.
After this he gained international recognition, and in mid-2007, he returned to Zimbabwe’s select team against South Africa A but had a modest performance. With Taibu back, he gave up wicketkeeping responsibilities.
In 2008, Taylor joined the Lashings World XI in England, a move that stirred controversy due to ongoing friction with the Zimbabwe Cricket Board over overseas commitments.
2011 World Cup Campaign
Brendan Taylor played a memorable knock of 145* against South Africa, becoming only the ninth player in ODI history to carry his bat through the innings. Chasing 352, Zimbabwe managed to score 287/6, with Taylor scoring 145 off 136 balls, highlighting his brilliance despite the team’s bowling struggles.
That innings marked a turning point, followed by another century against Sri Lanka the same year. At the 2011 World Cup, Taylor was Zimbabwe’s standout batsman, scoring 170 runs in six matches.
He top-scored with 80 off 72 balls against host Sri Lanka, forming a 116-run opening stand with Regis Chakabva, the highest for Zimbabwe in World Cup history – though Zimbabwe fell short in the chase.
New Zealand Series 2011
Brendan Taylor starred in the ODI series against New Zealand, scoring back-to-back unbeaten centuries (128** &107), first for a Zimbabwean. He added 75 off 65 in the final ODI, helping Zimbabwe chase 329.
He clinched Man of the Series with 310 runs at an average of 310 – a record for a three-match ODI series. In the Test, he scored 50 and 117, becoming only the second Zimbabwean to hit a fourth-inning century.
For his exceptional performances, he earned Zimbabwe’s Cricketer and Batsman of the Year and a nomination for the ICC ODI Player of the Year 2012.
West Indies & Bangladesh 2013
Taylor struggled against the West Indies but bounced back in the home series versus Bangladesh, scoring two centuries (171* & 102*) in the first test and averaging over 106. He led Zimbabwe to draw the test series 1-1, win the ODI 2-1, and also draw the T20s 1-1.
2015 Cricket World Cup
Taylore made history with two consecutive World Cup tons, 121 Vs. Ireland & 138 Vs. India, becoming the first Zimbabwean to do so. He ended his ODI career at 29, finishing as Zimbabwe’s top scorer with 433 runs at 72.16 and fourth overall in the tournament.
He also set two World Cup partnership records with Sean Williams. After the World Cup, Taylor joined Nottinghamshire due to financial concerns in Zimbabwean cricket.
Test Career
Return to Test Cricket 2011
After Zimbabwe’s poor 2011 World Cup showing, Brendan Taylor was named captain on 24 June 2011. He led the team in their return to test cricket against Bangladesh on 4 August 2011.
Taylor scored 71 in the first innings and an unbeaten 105 in the second, becoming the second Zimbabwean, after David Houghton, to hit a century in his first Test as captain. Zimbabwe won by 130 runs, and Taylor was named Man of the Match.
Though initially seen as inexperienced, Taylor matured quickly, becoming Zimbabwe’s ket batsman and leader. He scored two centuries, including one in the fourth innings against New Zealand – only the second Zimbabwean to do so, with five sixes on a fifth-day pitch.
He also made two fifties, 71 against Bangladesh and 50 Vs. New Zealand. His commitment ot playing aggressive test cricket was widely praised. Primarily a top-order batsman, he also bowled part-time off-spin, and was once Zimbabwe’s first-choice wicketkeeper.
After Taibu’s return, he gave up the gloves, but occasionally kept wicket in ODIs and T20Is after Taibu’s 2012 retirement.
Return to International Cricket 2017
Brendan Taylor ended his county contract with Nottinghamshire in September 2017 for family reasons, making him eligible for Zimbabwe again. After a big break, he rejoined the national squad and played in the Test series against West Indies, scoring 1 fifty in four innings as Zimbabwe lost 1-0.
In November 2018, he scored two centuries against Bangladesh in the second test, becoming the first Zimbabwean to achieve this feat twice, though Zimbabwe lost by 218 runs. Taylor was also the top run scorer in the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, finishing with 457 runs.
Domestic & T20 career
Brendan Taylor began playing in Zimbabwe’s Logan Cup in 2002 and made his domestic one-day debut in 2003 for Mashonaland. Known as one of Zimbabwe’s most consistent batters, he scored 4,719 runs in 68 first-class matches (avg. 39.99), 5,528 runs in 184 List A games (avg. 33.30), and 1,307 runs in 47 T20s (avg. 33.51).
He impressed in the 2007-08 Metropolitan Bank T20, finishing as the second-highest run scorer with 168 runs at an average of 84.00. His notable knocks included 85* and 63*, helping Northerns to dominant wins.
IN 2008-09, he scored 95 in his only Logan Cup appearance for Northerns, contributing to a huge innings win. In the 2011-12 Stanbic Bank T20 Series, Taylor played a match-winning knock of 75 to help Mid West Rhinos chase 171 against Chris Gayle’s side.
He also played for Wellingston in New Zealand’s HRV Cup, finishing as the team’s top run scorer with 207 runs.
In 2013, he joined the Chittagong Kings in the BPL. After a rough start, he took over captaincy and led a 4-game winning streak, ending with 316 runs, the 3rd highest in the league – before illness forced him to miss the final, which the Kings lost.
On 13 March 2015, he signed a Kolpak deal with Nottinghamshire and retired from international cricket the same day. Later, he played for Khulna Titans in the 2018-19 BPL and rejoined the Logan Cup with Rhinos in 2020-21.
Spot Fixing & Post-Playing Career
On 24 January 2022, Taylor tweeted that he was approached in October 2019 by a group of Indian businessmen to engage in spot-fixing – an offer he initially struggled to refuse.
He was invited by an unnamed businessman to discuss sponsorship and a possible domestic T20 league in Zimbabwe during a time when players hadn’t been paid for around six months.
Taylor revealed he was blackmailed into fixing after being threatened with photos of him using cocaine. He accepted a US$15,000 bribe to protect his family and admitted to drug use, saying he had fallen into substance abuse.
H confessed he didn’t report the incident to the ICC for about four months and planned to enter rehab. He acknowledged a multi-year ban was likely due to the delayed report.
He also admitted failing a drug test after his final international game in September 2021 and claimed to have passed a few others in the previous years. Zimbabwe cricket had said that they were aware of the investigation and would await the ICCs findings.
On 28 January 2022, Taylor was banned from cricket for 3.5 years for breaching ICC-Anticorruption and Anti-Doping Codes. The next day, Zimbabwe cricket said that they were “extremely disappointed” and that he had “let cricket down”.
Brendan Taylor Returns to Zimbabwe Cricket Team After Ban
In January 2022, he made a revelation about his forced involvement in spot-fixing due to the circumstances he had to deal with and stated that he would be facing a lengthy international ban for failing to report details related to it on time. Later the same month, Taylor was banned from all cricket for 3+1⁄2 years by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Brendan Taylor Career Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 34 | 68 | 4 | 2320 | 171 | 36.25 | 4138 | 56.06 | 6 | 12 | 254 | 22 | 30 | 0 |
| ODIs | 205 | 203 | 15 | 6684 | 145* | 35.55 | 8721 | 76.64 | 11 | 39 | 599 | 106 | 133 | 29 |
| T20Is | 45 | 45 | 6 | 934 | 75* | 23.94 | 790 | 118.22 | 0 | 6 | 93 | 24 | 20 | 2 |
| FC | 136 | 248 | 13 | 9571 | 217 | 40.72 | – | – | 32 | 36 | – | – | 148 | 4 |
| List A | 318 | 309 | 26 | 9914 | 154 | 35.03 | – | – | 19 | 54 | – | – | 200 | 41 |
| T20s | 174 | 168 | 22 | 3911 | 140* | 26.78 | 3155 | 123.96 | 2 | 25 | 380 | 108 | 65 | 14 |
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 34 | 4 | 42 | 38 | 0 | – | – | – | 5.42 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 205 | 21 | 396 | 406 | 9 | 3/54 | 3/54 | 45.11 | 6.15 | 44.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 45 | 2 | 30 | 17 | 1 | 1/16 | 1/16 | 17.00 | 3.40 | 30.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 136 | – | 384 | 225 | 4 | 2/36 | – | 56.25 | 3.51 | 96.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 318 | – | 606 | 604 | 20 | 5/28 | 5/28 | 30.20 | 5.98 | 30.3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| T20s | 174 | 8 | 150 | 152 | 8 | 3/38 | 3/38 | 19.00 | 6.08 | 18.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Brendan Taylor Teams
- Zimbabwe
- Chittagong Kings
- Kandy Tuskers
- Lahore Qalandars
- Mashonaland A
- Mid West Rhinos
- Multan Sultans
- Nottinghamshire
- Prime Bank Cricket Club
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Wellington
- Zimbabwe A
- Zimbabwe Under-19s
- Zimbabwe XI
Brendan Taylor Dates Joined
| Format | Debut Match | Last Match |
|---|---|---|
| Test | Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka at Harare – May 06–08, 2004 | Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh at Harare – July 07–11, 2021 |
| ODI | Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka at Bulawayo – April 20, 2004 | Ireland vs Zimbabwe at Belfast – September 13, 2021 |
| T20I | Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe at Khulna – November 28, 2006 | Zimbabwe vs Pakistan at Harare – April 25, 2021 |
| First-Class | 2001/02 Season | Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh at Harare – July 07–11, 2021 |
| List A | Manicaland vs Mashonaland at Mutare – December 03, 2003 | Ireland vs Zimbabwe at Belfast – September 13, 2021 |
| T20 | Zimbabweans vs Eagles at Kimberley – September 13, 2006 | Zimbabwe vs Pakistan at Harare – April 25, 2021 |
Brendan Taylor Social Media
| Brendan Taylor Instagram | Not Know |
| Brendan Taylor Wikipedia | Brendan Taylor |
| Brendan Taylor Facebook | Brendan Taylor |
Brendan Taylor Net Worth
According to reports, His estimated net worth is $2.5 million, which is equal to 25 crore in indian rupees. He makes most of his income by playing cricket. His main source of income is through Zimbabwe contract, other franchise cricket contracts, and brand endorsements.
