BULAWAYO: Zimbabwe have added batter Brendan Taylor to their squad for the second Test against New Zealand in Bulawayo from August 7-11 after he completed a three-and-a-half-year suspension imposed for breaching the ICCs Anti-Corruption and Anti-Doping codes.

Taylor, 39, was banned in 2022 after admitting receiving $15,000 from an Indian businessman in 2019.

He had retired from international cricket in September 2021.

He admitted taking cocaine while in India and claimed this was later used to blackmail him into spot-fixing, though he denied going through with any fixes.

“I certainly did think it was all done, but here I am and it’s an overwhelming feeling of gratitude,” Taylor said in a media release from Zimbabwe Cricket on Wednesday.

“I have to pinch myself a little to realise that I’m actually here. I’ve been soaking it all up and embracing every moment. The last year and a half has certainly been dedicated to my return.”

Taylor was found guilty in January 2022 of four charges under the ICC anti-corruption code and separately for failing a drugs test.

Taylor admitted to travelling to India in 2019 and meeting an unknown individual who paid him $15,000.

He initially claimed the money was an appearance fee but later admitted that he was paid following discussions about match-fixing, which he said he had no intention of carrying out.

He reported his contact with the individual to the ICC in March 2020 but did not mention discussions about corruption. He also deleted all communications with the individual.

He tested positive for a cocaine metabolite in September 2021. Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Givemore Makoni welcomed Taylor’s return.

“Brendan has endured an incredibly difficult chapter in his life and shown genuine remorse, coupled with a powerful determination to make things right — not just for himself but for the good of the game in Zimbabwe,” said Makoni.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2025