Zimbabwe's Brendan Taylor announces retirement from international cricket

Zimbabwe’s wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor has decided to call time on his international career and has announced that Zimbabwe’s upcoming third ODI against Ireland (on September 13) will be his final game.

Taylor, who debuted in 2004, will end as the fourth-highest Test run-scorer for Zimbabwe, having represented them in 34 Tests, scoring 2320 runs including six centuries, while in 45 T20Is, he has 934 runs at a strike rate of 118.22, with six half-centuries.

However, it is the One Day format Taylor loved best, where he has 6677 runs from 204 matches, only 110 short of Andy Flower’s – the current highest-scorer in the format – tally. Although, no one has scored more ODI centuries for Zimbabwe than Taylor’s 11.

The 34-year-old announced his retirement on Instagram on Sunday. “It’s with a heavy heart that I’m announcing that tomorrow is my last game for my beloved country,” Taylor wrote. “17 year’s of extreme highs and extreme lows and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I have made our country proud in some small way: Brendan Taylor

“It’s taught me to humble, to always remind myself how lucky I was to be in the position I was in for so long. To wear the badge with pride and leave everything on the field.

“My goal was to always leave the team in better position as to when I first arrived back in 2004, I hope I have done that.”

Taylor had Zimbabwe Cricket, his teammates, coaches, family, fans and his wife to thank. “Thank you for the opportunity and I hope I have made our country proud in some small way,” he wrote.

“To my team mates and coaches past and present. I thank you from the bottom of my heart I will never forget you all.

“To the fans back home who have been so loyal to me over the years. I’m eternally grateful.

“To my friends at home, my parents and my best mates my two brother’s who have been with me every step of the way,” he added.

“Finally to my wife @tkellyanne and our four beautiful boy’s. You have meant everything to me on this journey and it wouldn’t have been possible without you. No more airport heartaches. I look forward to our next chapter. I love you all very much,” he signed off.

Taylor’s 49 in the opening game of the series helped Zimbabwe gain a 1-0 lead over Ireland before rain spoilt the second fixture. Walking into his last encounter, he would want to deliver one final time, as he did many times in red over the last 17 years.