Brendan Taylor, the fourth highest run-getter (344 runs) in the ICC World Cup 2015, has revealed that financial concerns was the prime reason behind his decision to quit Zimbabwe Cricket and sign a Kolpak deal with English county club Nottinghamshire. Taylor reportedly earned around £ 131 (around 12k INR) before tax for his efforts in Australia and New Zealand – a meagre 30p (penny) per run.
Taylor, who also led Zimbabwe in 63 internationals across all formats, admitted that the money on offer from the club was too hard to resist.
During an interview with BBC Sport, Taylor said:
“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.
“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.”
Taylor became the sixth Zimbabwe player to quit international cricket and pursue a career in county (the other five are Sean Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Andy Flower, Murray Goodwin and Anthony Ireland).
“You are posed with difficult challenges and choices but it is a positive one that I have taken,” added Taylor.
“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 also revealed that Zimbabwe’s poor tour of Bangladesh in 2014, where they were swept in both Tests and ODIs, added to his decision to leave his country. “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,” he said. “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.”