Zimbabwe veteran batter Brendan Taylor made his international comeback with his appearance against New Zealand in the Test match getting played in Bulawayo. Taylor faced a four-year ban in January 2022,
following his failure to report a 2019 spot-fixing approach by an Indian businessman. On August 7, the 39-year-old made his comeback against the Kiwi side and looked decent with his bat. Zimbabwe got bundled out on 125 but Taylor displayed fighting spirit and emerged as the highest-scorer for his team with his 44 off 107.
Following Zimbabwe’s innings, Taylor spoke to the broadcaster and revealed his experience during the ban. “How good is it that three years ago, I couldn't get out of bed and now I am here doing what I love, and that's representing Zimbabwe? Dealing with the sanction, dealing with my own internal chaos - there was not a specific day, there were multiple days of trauma. I was in the dark depths in the abyss and trying to just get through this total and incomprehensible demoralisation of life. It was incredibly difficult," said Taylor as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
New Zealand tightening their grasp on the game
New Zealand are now in the commanding position in the second Test after the end of the first day’s play. Following the low score of 125, the Kiwi openers Devon Conway and Will Yong stitched an opening stand of 162. Young fell against Trevor Gwandu and closed his innings after scoring 74 off 101. His innings included 11 fours.
Conway is unbeaten with his score of 79 off 120 and Jacob Duffy is accompanying him in the middle. The right-handed batter is currently at his score of an unbeaten eight after facing 16 balls. The Kiwi side will look to take a huge lead in the first innings to win another game by a convincing margin and seal the series by 2-0.
