Brendan Taylor, who was fast-tracked into the Zimbabwe national team against Sri Lanka in 2003-04 at the age of 18 after the withdrawal of the so-called "rebel" players, has long been regarded as potential Test player.
He began as an opening batsman, but in 2005 moved down to the middle-order. Taylor certainly has the ability to build an innings, as is testified by his record of close to 30 centuries in all classes of cricket, but recently has been dismissed trying to play too aggressively.
There is more than one string to his bow, he has kept wicket since the age of eight, and also plans to develop his offbreaks.He has played in two Under-19 World Cups. He made his first-class debut for Mashonaland A at the age of 15; the following year he scored 200 not out in the B Division of the Logan Cup. In an attempt to refine his game, he was selected for the CFX Academy in 2004.
Brendan Taylor was one of the many players who received a rapid call-up to the national side in order to replace those players who had been sacked after the now infamous players strike. Yet despite such a rapid callup to international duties Brendan has always been recognised as a potential test player. An opening batsman with a reputation of being able to craft big innings he already has 30 junior, county and district centuries to his name.