RETURNING Zimbabwe cricket team star batsman Brendan Taylor has challenged fellow senior players to step up and lead from the front ahead of their upcoming limited-overs tour of South Africa starting on September 30.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
The southern Africa neighbours will face off in three one-day international (ODI) matches and as many Twenty20 international (T20I) games, before Zimbabwe proceed to Bangladesh for three ODIs and two Tests.
Taylor, who will be making his return to the side for the first time since the ICC World Cup qualifier back in March, said it was important for senior players such as himself to showcase their experience against one of the top sides in the world.
“It’s crucial for me and a few other senior players to really put our hands up, stake a claim and really put in some big performances,” Taylor told Standardsport in an interview.
“There is a lot of expectation from the public, our teammates and team members to do that and individually I feel my preparation has really helped. even success is not guaranteed but you can only guarantee quality preparation for yourself and that’s what I’ve done.” .
The 32-year-old wicketkeeper / batsman looked to have recaptured his top form during the World Cup qualifiers, with the main highlight being his magnificent 138 against the Windies.
Taylor was, however, not able to carry the momentum into the new season after missing the June-July visits here by Australia and Pakistan over a pay dispute with Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC).
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He says he has been putting in some extra work in training in a bid to be in the best possible shape for the upcoming assignments.
“I’ve done the extra work behind the scenes, team training starting at 9 o’clock and I’m always at the nets at 8 o’clock, so I’ve been doing some extra training and stuff and I feel like I’m hitting the ball really well,” he said.
He added: “It’s just about getting mentally in tune with how I’m going to play my games and my strategies. I’m more determined than ever. I’m excited to get out there and put in some big performances where we left off from the qualifiers.”
Taylor also lamented the absence former captain Graeme Cremer and middle order batsman Sikandar Raza, who are both unavailable for the upcoming tours due to injury and contractual issues respectively.
Cremer underwent successful knee surgery last month, while Raza was not offered a new contract by ZC, who claim the batsman breached the conditions of his previous agreement with the board.
Taylor, nonetheless, hopes they will both be back in the fold soon.
“ They are proven performers for Zimbabwe cricket for a number of years now and without them there’s that added responsibility and pressure on myself, but then again there will be a few other players that that will have to put in some performances and not rely on other players,” he said.
“It’s a team effort that will be required and this is a great opportunity for everyone involved. We certainly going to miss them, we wish Graeme a speedy recovery and hope Raza finalises his deal with ZC, we need him back desperately, he’s very key to Zimbabwe cricket.”
Taylor said they were going all out for victory against the South Africans, who recently named a strong side comprising of most their key players such as returning pace bowler Dale Steyn, skipper Faf du Plessis and leg-spinner Imran Tahir.
The Proteas have, however, rested ace pace bowler Kagiso Rabada, Quinton de Kock and David Miller as they look to try a variety of options ahead of the World Cup next year. Taylor, however, believes the South Africans remain a formidable outfit despite resting some players.
“We want to go there and win, we know we’re up against it. playing in South Africa is never going to be easy, even if they rest a few players, they’re always going to put out a strong side,” he said.
“They’ve got the depth in the pool of players to choose from and there’ll be a lot of determined players that are willing to stake a claim and make sure that they’re permanently in the side.”
He added: “It’s going to be a great clash and that’s why we play this game, we want to challenge ourselves against the best players. That’s how people take you seriously.”
