It was innaugral T20 World Cup 2007, Group B day night game against world beaters the greatest Aussie side that included legends. Zimbabwe were no where near to them. A good bowling performance by Gary Brent & Chigumbura restricted Aussie to 138 in 20 overs.
No one thought, Zimbabwe will counter on the likes of Brett Lee, Mitchell Jhonson, Nathan Bracken under lights. But it was Taylor 45 ball 60 that created massive upset and for the first time a myth was created that no one is strong in shortest format of the game, every team starts the game equally, its just game of nerves and few balls that can turn the game either way
That last ball six against Bangladesh was pretty amazing, along with the CWC century against India.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Surely wc T20 innings against australia ..that was just not going to happen against the mighty Australian side ..they were expected to walk over us ..some even predicted world record ..with 4 pacers in southafrican conditions even when they were bundled for 130 odd we werr expected to roll over by 90-100 ...only a world-class batsman has the calibre to perform and win ..the tatendas the mazakdazas would have been content by just giving a decent fight ..but Taylor had other ideas
I really enjoyed watching BT at the CWC in 2015, he was in sublime form and really showed his true class.
The Bangladesh tear in 2013 where he scored hundreds in both innings; in a winning cause, whilst captain made it a very special match and memory for me.
His hundred against West Indies in the CWCQ in 2018 was probably his best innings I’ve watched him play; keeping in mind I haven’t watched all of his innings. But I felt against a really good attack he was unstoppable.
In Zimbabwe retirements are never really permanent, so I do hope BT does return for one last run at the CWC.
I really enjoyed watching BT at the CWC in 2015, he was in sublime form and really showed his true class.
The Bangladesh tear in 2013 where he scored hundreds in both innings; in a winning cause, whilst captain made it a very special match and memory for me.
His hundred against West Indies in the CWCQ in 2018 was probably his best innings I’ve watched him play; keeping in mind I haven’t watched all of his innings. But I felt against a really good attack he was unstoppable.
In Zimbabwe retirements are never really permanent, so I do hope BT does return for one last run at the CWC.
The last hope is that in a few months the next coach is downwind he respects and reaches out to him to try and bring him back for the World Cup. Would probably mean a proper contract and some guarantees. Although at nearly 36, age is very much not on his side.
Hopefully someone like Houghton or Flower is appointed.
I loved BTs upper cut, there is no shot in cricket I loved watching than BTs upper cut over the keepers head. I don't know why but i always found it super cool!!!
As for his knocks, well generally test cricket is where you knocks are mostly remembered and recognized but in BTs case I thought his 100 against India in 2015 WC was seriously high quality. His innings in a home test against NZL where he nearly won the test for Zimbabwe in a massive chase was high quality too.
I loved BTs upper cut, there is no shot in cricket I loved watching than BTs upper cut over the keepers head. I don't know why but i always found it super cool!!!
Yeah, he was probably the best when it came to perfecting the execution of that shot and the acute angles at which he could place them. Typical upper cuts of Sehwag or Tendulkar were slices and mostly went over the head of the third man, but BT could play the "ramp" shot ranging from third man to fine leg, typically straight over the keeper's head. Also convincing was his choice of deliveries to play that shot and the stillness in his stance to execute that as the last split-second decision. He was very much in control on most occasions he played that shot, which made it look special and comfortable. The same cannot be said of his reverse sweep excursions though :) (a common problem across most Zimbabwean batsmen anyway, barring Andy Flower and David Houghton).
As I understand it, Brendan’s contract runs until some point in the next month or two. Obviously there’s no fixtures in this period so he announced his retirement ahead of his final game Vs Ireland so he could enjoy his final game with a send off from the boys.
However he remains contracted and salaried for the next short period and therefore ZC only intend to honour his retirement when he ceases to be a ZC employee. I think the contracts usually run until some time in October.
As I understand it, Brendan’s contract runs until some point in the next month or two. Obviously there’s no fixtures in this period so he announced his retirement ahead of his final game Vs Ireland so he could enjoy his final game with a send off from the boys.
However he remains contracted and salaried for the next short period and therefore ZC only intend to honour his retirement when he ceases to be a ZC employee. I think the contracts usually run until some time in October.
We’ve definitely seen the last of him though :(
its logical but illogical.
He defibitrely should have hung till the november series at least.