Brendan Taylor returned to one-day internationals after four years during the first ODI of the three-match series against Sri Lanka in Harare on Friday, August 29. Taylor moved into the all-time top three for the longest ODI careers and holds the record for the longest career among batters who debuted after 2001.
The 39-year-old was handed a three-and-a-half-year ban in 2022 after confessing to accepting $15,000 from an Indian businessman in 2019. The former skipper rejoined the national side this month after completing his suspension. He scored 44 and 7 in Zimbabwe’s innings defeat against New Zealand.
Brendan Taylor Sets Record for Longest 21st-Century ODI Career
Brendan Taylor made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Bulawayo on April 20, 2004. His career has now spanned over 21 years and 132 days. The right-handed batter surpassed Sean Williams (19 years, 300 days) to set the record for the longest ODI career among players who debuted in the 21st century.
Taylor moved into the top three for all-time longest ODI careers, overtaking Pakistan legend Javed Miandad (20 years, 272 days). Only Sachin Tendulkar (22 years, 91 days) and Sanath Jayasuriya (21 years, 184 days) have longer spans in men’s ODI cricket.
Taylor had also become the player with the longest Test career among cricketers who debuted in the 21st century. Since 1989, only Sachin Tendulkar has had a longer career, playing 200 matches across 24 years and one day.
Players with Longest ODI Career Spans:
| Player | From | To | Span | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar (India) | 18 Dec 1989 | 18 Mar 2012 | 22y 91d | 463 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) | 26 Dec 1989 | 28 Jun 2011 | 21y 184d | 445 |
| Brendan Taylor (ZIM) | 20 Apr 2004 | 29 Aug 2025* | 21y 132d | 206 |
| Javed Miandad (PAK) | 11 Jun 1975 | 9 Mar 1996 | 20y 272d | 233 |
| Chris Gayle (WI) | 11 Sep 1999 | 14 Aug 2019 | 19y 337d | 301 |
Brendan Taylor Has Been Zimbabwe’s Batting Backbone for Nearly Two Decades
Brendan Taylor has been the backbone of Zimbabwe’s batting for nearly two decades, consistently delivering match-winning performances. He is also the country’s leading century scorer in ODIs, with 11 to his name.
The right-handed batter is in second place on Zimbabwe’s leading run-getter list. He is behind Andy Flower, needing just over a hundred more runs to surpass him. Taylor scored 433 runs in just six innings, including two centuries during the 2015 World Cup.
Taylor has played 206 ODI matches and scored 6684 runs at an average of 35.55, including 39 half-centuries, with a highest score of 145 not out.
Speaking about the match, Zimbabwe opted to bowl first after winning the toss in the series opener. Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine was ruled out due to a calf injury, and senior all-rounder Sean Williams has been asked to step in as captain for the series.
Star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of the ODI leg because of a hamstring problem. His participation in the early stages of the Asia Cup remains uncertain.