The former Zimbabwe captain, Brendan Taylor, is ready to return to international cricket during the second Test of the two-match home series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, after serving a three-and-a-half-year ban for breaching the ICC’s anti-corruption code. His sanction ended on July 25 and will feature from August 07.

Taylor, who has 2320 runs in 68 red-ball innings, hasn’t played since retiring abruptly in September 2021. Due to his ban, he wasn’t even able to train with the national and domestic squads. However, he had facilities to practice with the elite interdependent school in Harare and has felt more fit than ever. His eyes will be on the upcoming New Zealand Tests. 

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‘He'll be available for the second Test. But I also know how hard he's worked in his capacity - especially over the last eight, ten [or] 12 months - for this to happen. I'm very excited to have him come back into the space in the next few days, and looking forward to what he has to contribute towards the team and the group.’ Zimbabwe captain, Craig Ervine, expressed.

Twitter reacts to Brendan Taylor’s comeback to Zimbabwe side after three-and-half year ban

‘I've been humbled properly. I look forward to really just adding value, which I probably didn't do to the best of my ability when I was there before.’ The veteran right-handed batter expressed, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. He has celebrated six centuries in the longest format, including the 105* against Bangladesh, after their six-year self-imposed ban was lifted in 2011.

Zimbabwe has already named the 16-member squad for the two games, where they have kept one first-choice wicket-keeper batter in Tafadzwa Tsiga, who started the opening game of the fixture. Taylore makes his return for the side in a busy period of seven Tests in the year. Even though he won’t feature for the T20 World Cup qualifiers, there is a strong expectation of him turning up for the home ODI World Cup 2027.

🚨 39-YEAR-OLD BRENDAN TAYLOR RETURNING TO CRICKET 🚨

- He is set to play the 2nd Test against New Zealand after serving a 3 & half year ban for the Breaching ICC Anti Corruption Code. [Espn Cricinfo] pic.twitter.com/hiX1m2gQgf

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 30, 2025 

Brendan Taylor is scheduled to make a return. We are going to witness the greatest come back in the history of cricket 🥵🥵🔥😭 pic.twitter.com/HDIoM5CPk0

— Mayor Of You know What🌴 (@bxllyville) July 29, 2025

Here we Go. Brendan Taylor is back https://t.co/JD5X7jZfG1 pic.twitter.com/az3M9qjRaZ

— Sir Brendon Sann (@iamsirbreezy) July 29, 2025

Breaking

Brendan Taylor has joined the Zimbabwe National Men's Team in Bulawayo.

There is no confirmation on whether he will play or not, but I believe him being part of the team in Bulawayo is good enough to encourage others! pic.twitter.com/a7MaFGBnWc

— Chairman Bans (@The_Bans) July 29, 2025

Craig Ervine says he is excited to have Brendan Taylor back with the 🇿🇼🏏 test side. He expects BT's experience to be useful against NZ🇳🇿, although he is only available for the second test. pic.twitter.com/1PyLacCQXH

— Undisputed🎙️📺 (@Mr_Tich) July 30, 2025

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced the 16-member men's squad for the upcoming two-match home Test series against New Zealand. The Chevrons have big names return to the Test squad, while Brendan Taylor's international cricket return has an interesting story. 

After the end of the ongoing T20I tri-series between Zimbabwe, South Africa, and New Zealand, where New Zealand and South Africa will face each other in the Final on this Saturday (July 26) after the last two league stage games, Zimbabwe and New Zealand will play a two-match Test series. Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo will host both the Tests, starting on July 30 and August 7. Both Tests will be the traditional five-day Test matches. It will be their first Test meeting since 2016, when the visitors won the two-match Test series in Zimbabwe by 2-0. As Zimbabwe aren't part of the ICC World Test Championship, the forthcoming Test series will not be a part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship. 

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Ben Curran and Sikandar Raza return to Test cricket

Craig Ervine will continue his Test leadership role, while Ben Curran and Sikandar Raza have returned to the Test squad. Ben Curran missed out on the recently concluded home Test series against South Africa due to a fractured hand, which he suffered during a warm-up game against South Africa. Meanwhile, Sikandar Raza has returned to the Test squad after missing the home Test series against South Africa due to MLC 2025 commitment. Also, Roy Kaia and Tanunurwa Makoni have returned to Test cricket, having played three and two Test matches, respectively. 

In the meantime, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Prince Masvaure, Wessly Madhevere, and Kundai Matigimu, who were present during the recently concluded home Test series against South Africa, have been left out of the squad for the upcoming home Test series. 

Zimbabwe complete squad for the two-match home Test series against New Zealand

Craig Ervine (Captain), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Clive Madande, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams

Brendan Taylor likely to return to international cricket

On the other hand, the 39-year-old Bendan Taylor hasn't been named in the Test squad for the upcoming home series against New Zealand. His three-and-a-half-year ban for breaching the ICC anti-corruption code will end this Friday, July 25. According to ESPNcricinfo's report, Taylor is likely to make his international cricket comeback in the upcoming first Test against New Zealand, as he is likely to be added once his ban expires officially.