Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has been banned for three and a half years by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on January 28. Taylor has accepted three charges of breaching ICC Anti-Corruption Code and one charge of breaching the Anti-Doping Code.
Earlier this week, Taylor had revealed that he was approached by an Indian businessman who gave him USD 15,000 to do spot-fixing after blackmailing him with a video where he was consuming cocaine. Taylor delayed in reporting the incident which led to the ban.
"Over such a long career, he participated in numerous anti-corruption and anti-doping education sessions and knew exactly what his obligations were under the ICC Anti-Corruption and Anti-Doping Codes,” Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager of the Integrity Unit said in a statement.
“It is disappointing that a player of his experience chose not to fulfil those obligations, however, he has accepted all charges, which has been reflected in the sanction.”
“I would echo Brendan’s message to other players to report approaches as soon as they happen so any corrupt activity can be disrupted at the earliest possible opportunity,” Marshal added.
The 35-year-old also announced that he has checked into a rehabilitation centre after reporting the incident to the apex cricket board. His result for the stimulant Benzoylecognine, a cocaine metabolite, had also come positive. In September 2021, he was playing against Ireland in the ODI series while using the substance before he hanged his boots.
Taylor has represented Zimbabwe in 205 ODIs, 34 Tests and 45 T20Is. The wicketkeeper-batter is Zimbabwe's all-time second-highest run-scorer in the 50-over format with 6,684 runs from 203 innings at an average of 35.55 including 11 centuries and 39 half-centuries. In the red-ball format, he has 2,30 runs to his name at an average of 36.25 including six centuries and 12 half-centuries. In the T20I format, he has 934 runs from 45 innings including six fifties. He has also led Zimbabwe in 37 ODIs, 16 Tests and 18 T20Is.
