Brendan Taylor says Money forced me to quit Zimbabwe and play county cricket
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Nottingham:
Former Zimbabwe batsman Brendan Taylor has said his decision to retire from
international cricket and play for English county Nottinghamshire was primarily
because of financial benefits.
Taylor
reportedly earned around 250 Australian dollars before tax for his World Cup
efforts. In contrast, established county cricketers could expect to earn
between A$95,000 and A$244,269, according to the Professional Cricketers'
Association.
Taylor quit
international cricket after the World cup.
"It is
every international player's dream to put on their country's shirt, that is why
we play the sport. But our careers do not last forever and I want to go and
play in a great set-up, which Notts has provided for me," Taylor was
quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Thursday.
"It was
not an easy decision but I guess every player would be lying if they say they
are not trying to maximise on potential earnings."
Money is an
issue that has been plaguing Zimbabwe cricket for long and Taylor is not the
first player to look overseas for financial security.
In 2013,
talented young batsman Craig Ervine refused a central Zimbabwe Cricket contract
in favour of playing club cricket with Northern Irish side Lisburn and Grade
cricket for Morley in Western Australia, while fast bowler Kyle Jarvis retired
at 24 to play for county side Lancashire.
"You
are posed with difficult challenges and choices but it is a positive one that I
have taken, it has been a special 11 years but I had to think about my family
and my future. I am excited about being able to play a lot of cricket, playing
in a very professional environment and with wonderful facilities," Taylor
said.
Taylor also
said Zimbabwe’s poor tour of Bangladesh late last year, which saw them lose the
Test series 0-3 and ODI series 0-5, was another factor behind his retirement.
"We
were on tour in Bangladesh and I struggled, we all did as a team, and the
enjoyment factor went out of the window a little bit, that is when I thought
this is end and I spoke to an agent and made sure I had a plan B in place. I
just thought time is running out for me," he concluded.
