From retirement to record: Taylor’s 22‑year ODI journey

In Harare’s opening ODI against Australia, Brandon Taylor became the longest‑serving One Day International player, overtaking Sachin Tendulkar’s 22‑year, 91‑day record. Taylor’s career, which started in 2004, now stretches to 22 years and 146 days.

The Zimbabwe star’s path was anything but linear. After retiring and serving an ICC suspension that lasted three and a half years, he returned to the international arena in 2025. Since then, he has played 205 ODIs, scoring 6,704 runs – the second‑most for his country after Andy Flower’s 6,786.

Taylor captained Zimbabwe in Tests, ODIs and T20Is, and his standout performances at the 2015 World Cup, including a century against India, are still remembered. He briefly left the game after the tournament, signed a three‑year contract with England’s Nottinghamshire, but departed before the contract ended.

Two years away from the sport did not diminish his hunger. He rejoined the national side, resumed international duties, and now holds a record that cements his legacy as one of the most durable cricketers of the modern era.