Brendan Taylor destroys James Anderson’s all-time record in comeback Test against New Zealand

Published - 07 Aug 2025, 03:58 PM | Updated - 07 Aug 2025, 04:00 PM

Brendan Taylor
Brendan Taylor (Image Credits: X)

Veteran wicketkeeper batter Brendan Taylor made a comeback to Zimbabwe's Test team during the second Test against New Zealand, following a four-year absence due to an ICC ban. Taylor etched his name into the record books for longevity, with his first international match for Zimbabwe since 2021.

Brendan Taylor returned to Zimbabwe's Test side after serving a three-and-a-half-year ban imposed by the ICC for breaching anti-corruption and anti-doping rules. He had accepted money and gifts from a businessman and failed to report the approach in time during a trip to India in 2019.

Taylor last played for Zimbabwe in September 2021, with his final Test appearance coming against Bangladesh in July 2021. Following the completion of his ban, he became available for selection for Zimbabwe, who currently trail the ongoing series against New Zealand 1-0.

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Brendan Taylor Becomes Longest-Serving Active Test Cricketer

Brendan Taylor has become the longest-serving active Test cricketer. He also surpassed England pacer James Anderson in terms of career span.

The Zimbabwe batter made his debut against Sri Lanka in Harare and is now playing the 35th Test of his career. Among cricketers since 1989, only Sachin Tendulkar has had a longer Test career, playing for over 24 years.

"He (Brendan Taylor) has brought a lot of calmness, he was with the guys in the first Test as well and has been brilliant around the change room," Ervine said at the toss.

Longest Test careers:

PlayerTeamFromToSpan
Wilfred RhodesEnglandJune 1, 1899April 12, 193030 years 315 days
Brian CloseEnglandJuly 23, 1949July 13, 197626 years 356 days
Frank WoolleyEnglandAugust 9, 1909August 22, 193425 years 13 days
George HeadleyWest IndiesJanuary 11, 1930January 21, 195424 years 10 days
Sachin TendulkarIndiaNovember 15, 1989November 16, 201324 years 1 day
John TraicosSouth Africa/ZimbabweFebruary 5, 1970March 17, 199323 years 40 days
Jack HobbsEnglandJanuary 1, 1908August 22, 193022 years 233 days
George GunnEnglandDecember 13, 1907April 12, 193022 years 120 days
Syd GregoryAustraliaJuly 21, 1890August 22, 191222 years 32 days
Freddie BrownEnglandJuly 29, 1931June 30, 195321 years 336 days
Dave NourseSouth AfricaOctober 11, 1902August 19, 192421 years 313 days
Brendan TaylorZimbabweMay 6, 2004August 7, 202521 years 93 days
James AndersonEnglandMay 22, 2003July 12, 202421 years 51 days
Shivnarine ChanderpaulWest IndiesMarch 17, 1994May 3, 201521 years 47 days

Brendan Taylor on the Verge of Joining an Elite Group in Zimbabwean Cricket

Brendan Taylor is on the verge of joining an elite group in Zimbabwean cricket. He needs just 62 runs to reach the 10,000-run milestone in international cricket. Taylor has scored 9,938 runs from 284 matches, including 2,320 in Tests, 6,684 in ODIs, and 934 in T20Is, with 17 centuries and 57 fifties.

Taylor could become only the third Zimbabwe player to surpass 10,000 runs. Andy Flower (11,580 runs) and Grant Flower (10,028) are the only players to achieve that. He is fourth among Zimbabwean batters in Test cricket, behind Andy Flower, who leads with 4,794 runs at an average of 51.54.

Also read: Watch: MS Dhoni reveals Virat Kohli’s hidden talents off the field; Video breaks internet

Sai Vaitla

Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla... Read more

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