Zimbabwe's Brendan Taylor signs Kolpak deal, quits international cricket

Brendan Taylor of Zimbabwe celebrates scoring his century during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between Zimbabwe and Ireland at Bellerive Oval on March 7, 2015 in Hobart, Australia.

Zimbabwe wicketkeeper-batsman Brendan Taylor has signed a Kolpak deal with English county team Nottinghamshire, subject to England Cricket Board’s approval, which will see him being out of action from international cricket for a three-year period. Zimbabwe’s final World Cup group stage clash against India on March 14 at Auckland will be his last match for his country.

Taylor has been drafted in as cover for the Notts’ England international Michael Lumb, who is expected to take some time to be back in action following his arm tendon surgery. It is learnt that Lumb will miss at least the first month of the county season this year.

‘One of the toughest decisions of my career’

Explaining his decision, the 29-year-old, who is also the captain of the Zimbabwean Test team, said: "It's been one of the toughest decisions of my career. I have been very passionate about playing for Zimbabwe, but it's a decision I had to make. I can't give you that answer because it's the first time I am going there.

When asked if he has any plans of settling in England permanently, he said: “I just want to go there and play some good competitive cricket and provide for my family. That's the main thing behind it I will see how it goes the first year and then take a call."

The financial issues plaguing Zimbabwe cricket appear to be the reason behind Taylor’s decision to quit international cricket.

‘Brendan Taylor, a proven player and an excellent addition to the team’

Nottinghamshire will also be missing out on the services of two of England’s most promising batsmen – James Taylor and Alex Hales, who are likely to be on international duty during the county season. The 22-year-old right-handed batsman Jake Libby, too, will be unavailable for the first half of the season due to injury concerns.

On finalising a deal with Taylor, Notts director Mick Newell said: "We have decided to strengthen our batting order with Brendan, a proven player who will be an excellent addition to the side. Ahead of the upcoming season, we have found ourselves with two batsmen injured and face the potential loss of players to international commitments."

Taylor, the most accomplished Zimbabwean batsman of the active lot, has represented his country in 166 ODIs, 23 Tests and 20 T20Is and has scored over 7,000 international runs. Zimbabwe have won only one of the five completed Pool B World Cup matches, against the UAE, and have already been knocked out of the tournament.