New Delhi: Zimbabwe’s return to regain top status as a cricketing nation is set to get a major boost as Zimbabwe Cricket [ZC] is in talks with former representatives, Brendon Taylor and Kyle Jarvis, with at least one of them confirmed to return.
Both the players had taken Kolpak deal to play county cricket in England, expressing distress over the game’s administration in the country. While Jarvis who has featured in 8 Tests and 24 ODIs for Zimbabwe joined Lancashire, former skipper Brendan Taylor has been part of Nottinghamshire following the team’s poor run in 2015 World Cup.
Both players have requested for multi year contracts despite the fact that ZC generally awards yearly contracts to its players but they might make an exception keeping in mind the future development of Zimbabwe cricket. Jarvis (28) and Taylor (31) are relatively younger and once they terminate their Kolpak deal they won’t be able to regain it.
But it is clear with the World Cup qualifications looming large; Zimbabwe will look to fire on all cylinders with either or both of them returning. . Hampshire's 34-year-old batsman Sean Ervine is also on ZC's radar but no formal talks has taken place.
Meanwhile, former captains Heath Streak and Tatenda Taibu have been given vital positions in the cricketing affairs.
The team’s brilliant display in both, Test and ODI series against Sri Lanka very recently could help the team make more strides in international cricket when ICC chairman Shashank Manohar visits the country next month.
Manohar is scheduled to meet the Zimbabwe officials from the government to seek their assurance of hosting the ICC 2019 World Cup Qualifiers in the country next year. The ICC had conditionally awarded the tournament to Zimbabwe ahead of UAE and a joint bidding from Ireland and Scotland.