Was It Incredibly Difficult for Taylor to Stay Away from Zimbabwe's Team Due to Ban?

Bulawayo, Aug 7 (NationPress) Renowned cricketer Brendan Taylor shared that it was extraordinarily challenging for him to distance himself from Zimbabwe's national cricket team after successfully returning to international cricket following a four-year hiatus on Thursday.

Taylor rejoined Zimbabwe's lineup in the second test against New Zealand after completing a three-and-a-half-year suspension for violating the ICC's anti-corruption regulations.

"How remarkable is it that just three years ago, I struggled to get out of bed and now I am here, doing what I love, which is representing Zimbabwe?" Taylor expressed in an emotional interview prior to the first day's play. "Coping with the ban and my internal turmoil – there wasn't a single day, but countless days filled with trauma.

"I was in the dark depths of despair, striving to navigate through this total and incomprehensible demoralization of life. It was incredibly difficult."

In 2021, Taylor abruptly retired from international cricket while in Belfast. A few months later, he disclosed that he was targeted by match-fixers who attempted to extort him by threatening to reveal his cocaine use if he did not comply. Taylor resisted their demands, chose to retire from the sport, and entered rehabilitation when his ban was officially announced in early 2022.

As part of his punishment, Taylor was prohibited from participating in any formal cricketing activities. During this time, he established a coaching setup at his residence, aiming to transition into a coaching career once eligible. However, it was Givemore Makoni, Managing Director of Zimbabwe Cricket, who encouraged his return to the game with the goal of the 2027 World Cup in mind.

Now back on the field, Taylor is committed to seizing his second chance, drawing from years of introspection and renewed purpose.

"There's always that shame and guilt of disappointing your family. That's a challenging thing to confront. However, the way my family rallied and supported me was overwhelming. I often regret not leaning on them sooner," he stated.

"I believed it was something I had to resolve on my own. I thought the dream was lost and had come to terms with it," Taylor added.

His time at the rehabilitation center in Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands provided him with a fresh perspective on life. He also expressed gratitude to his family, friends, teammates, and everyone at Zimbabwe Cricket for their steadfast support.

"Then came the joys and promises of recovery, something that is very dear to me. Getting my life back on track is why I am able to be here. If I hadn't made that transformative decision, none of this would have been achievable.

"There have been some crucial individuals in my corner, showing me a new way to live, and I am eternally thankful for that. There are a few people at Zimbabwe Cricket I must thank, especially the chairman and MD, who have been instrumental in their support for my return."

Upon receiving his 36th Test cap, Taylor remarked, "It meant the world to me. It was a moment filled with pure gratitude and genuine emotion to be welcomed back with open arms," he said. "It was not the reaction I anticipated, but it certainly served as a moment of reflection and gratitude. It's incredibly rewarding to see the amount of cricket Zimbabwe Cricket is promoting. I have trained harder than ever in my life to return. If I perform well, that's great, but there’s a much larger picture for me to contribute to. It’s an honor to play again. It feels like a debut."