5 legends who played for Zimbabwe 

How can anyone forget this small African country that was known for its grit and determination when facing some of the best teams in the world? They were the lovable underdogs that most fans loved to cheer for.

That’s probably the best way to describe them. Despite not being a strong cricketing nation, they gave us a lot of memories and produced some of the finest cricketers over the years.

But now, the Zimbabwean cricket team has found themselves in some troubled waters. After failing to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup this year, Zimbabwe Cricket has been suspended by the ICC due to their government’s interference in the board’s administration.

Over the years, Zimbabwe has produced many great cricketers who have played against some of the best teams in the world. While some players may have been forgotten, some have left a lasting impression. Here is the list of 5 unforgettable legends who played for Zimbabwe.

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#4 Heath Streak

Heath Streak of Zimbabwe

Heath Streak will forever be remembered as one of the greatest all-rounders to ever play the game. He was fierce with the ball and destructive with the bat. Streak was best known for his outswingers that proved menacing for even the best batsmen of that time. It wasn’t just his bowling skills that were impressive he proved to be a valuable lower-order batsman who could whack some of the best bowlers in the world for sixes.

Heath Streak was always considered a valuable prospect for the Zimbabwe team right from his international debut against Pakistan in 1993. Streak tore through the Pakistan batting lineup taking 22 wickets at an average of 13.54. He was awarded the man of the series award for his performances. This was just the beginning of his legendary career.

Over the years, Streak would go on to deliver standout performances against big oppositions like Pakistan, England, and Bangladesh. Streak rose through the ranks of the Zimbabwe team and was finally named captain in 2000. He remained captain till 2004. A year later, he announced his retirement from international cricket to become the captain of the Warwickshire County Cricket Club. Post-retirement, Streak settled into several coaching positions within the Zimbabwe team before finally being appointed head coach in 2016.

However, he was forced to resign in 2018 after Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the ICC Cricket World in 2019. He remained the bowling coach for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2018. This was his last association with the game.

#3 Tatenda Taibu

Tatenda Taibu

Tatenda Taibu was Zimbabwe’s wicket-keeper batsman. Given his small stature, he was extremely agile and quick on his toes. Taibu made his international debut in 2001 at the age of 18. Within two years of his international debut, he was appointed the vice-captain of the national side. Finally, he was appointed the captain of the national side in 2004, making him the youngest Test captain in history.

Taibu was a great batsman who was not afraid of taking the attack to the opposition. He became the 5th Zimbabwean to score 3000 runs when his team took on Kenya during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Unfortunately, on 10 July 2012, he decided to retire at the young age of 29 so that he could focus on his life way from cricket. He scored 1,546 runs in Tests and scored 3,393 runs in ODIs. He finished his career as Zimbabwe's fourth-highest run-scorer in ODIs with the second most number for dismissals as a wicket-keeper.

#2 Brendan Taylor

Brendan Taylor

Brendan Taylor can be regarded as one of the greatest batsmen to play for this small African nation. His talent was known throughout the world. Had he been born in any other country; he would’ve played far more number of games.

Brendan Taylor made his international debut against Sri Lanka and has never looked back since. Over the years, he would go on to play many crucial knocks against Bangladesh, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.

In 2007, Taylor scored an unbeaten 60 in a T20I match against Australia and spearheaded his team to a shocking win against them. A few years later in 2010, he played another crucial knock of 145 against South Africa. This proved to be a turning point for him, and he went on to score another century for Sri Lanka in the same year.

He was also Zimbabwe’s stand-out batsman at the 2011 World Cup where he scored 170 runs at an average of 28.33.

His form would only get better from here and he would go on to score multiple centuries against countries like New Zealand, Bangladesh, Ireland, and even India. Taylor decided to retire from ODIs at the young age of 29. However, his retirement was short-lived, and he returned to the national side in 2017.

#1 The Flower Brothers

The Flower Brothers

The Flower brothers could be easily regarded as one of the greatest pairs of brothers to ever play cricket. Both of them were brilliant batsmen. They were so good that the two of them were enough to hold the entire Zimbabwe batting lineup against some of the best bowlers in the world. They were fearless and took the fight to their opposition.

Andy Flower, the elder of the two, can be regarded as one of the best batsmen to ever play for Zimbabwe. He was a wicket-keeper batsman who rarely failed to score runs. In 63 Test matches, Andy scored 4794 at an amazing average of 51.54. He also played in 213 ODIs and scored 6786 runs at an average of 35.34. His batting was so good that as soon as he received his British citizenship, the British government rewarded him with a distinction ‘Most Excellent Order of the British Empire’. His international career lasted 11 years (1992-2003). Post-retirement, he went on to play county cricket in England till 2007.

His younger brother, Grant Flower, wasn’t just a good batsman, but he was quite useful with the ball also. His technique was so good that the opposition bowlers struggled to get him out. In 67 Test matches, he scored 3457 runs at an average of 29.54. He also has 25 Test wickets to his name. He played 221 ODIs and scored 6571 runs while scalping 104 wickets. Despite making his international debut in the same year as his elder brother, he went on to play for a longer period. His international career spanned 18 years (1992-2010).

The Flower brothers have left a lasting impression on the fans’ minds that is difficult to erase.