Longest ODI careers: Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor enters all-time top 3, breaks 21st century world record in ZIM-SL match

Taylor breaks 21st century ODI record

Gearing up his first ODI match in four years in Harare on Friday, Taylor also broke the 21st century record for the longest ODI career among all batters who have debuted in the 50-over game since January 1, 2001.

Taylor, who made his ODI debut in Bulawayo against Sri Lanka on April 20, 2004, returned for Zimbabwe against the same opposition in Harare to achieve the landmark. Taylor surpassed compatriot Sean Williams (19y 300d) for the longest ODI careers among players to have debuted in this century. The right-handed wicketkeeper-batter also broke into the top 3 of all time, surpassing Pakistan legend Javed Miandad (20y 272d). Interestingly, only Sachin Tendulkar (22y 91d) and Sanath Jayasuriya (21y 184d) now stand ahead of Taylor in terms of longevity in men’s ODI cricket.

ALSO CHECK OUT: Longest Test careers: Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor breaks 21st century record

Since 1989, only India legend Tendulkar has recorded a longer Test career than Taylor, having appeared in 200 Tests spanning across 24 years and 1 day.

Zimbabwean heavyweight

Taylor remains one of Zimbabwe’s most prolific batters and has recorded the most centuries for the country (11) in the format. A hero at the 2015 ODI World Cup with 433 runs and two centuries in six innings, Taylor is only 103 runs short of surpassing Andy Flower as Zimbabwe’s highest run-scorer in ODIs.

Brendan Taylor ODI record: Matches – 206; Runs – 6684; HS: 145*; Ave: 35.55; 100s – 11; 50s – 39.

Longest ODI careers