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The full statement of the former Zimbabwe captain on how he was allegedly approached by corruptors in late 2019

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jan-2022″To my friends, family, supporters and wider public.”I’ve been carrying a burden for over 2 years now that has sadly taken me to some very dark places and had a profound effect on my mental health. And I’ve only recently managed to start sharing my story with close friends and family and receive the love and support I guess I was too ashamed and frightened to seek in the first place.”This may not make for comfortable reading but I would like to make a statement regarding a finding made by the ICC, which is soon to be released.”In late October 2019, I was approached by an Indian businessman requesting that I attend India to discuss sponsorships and the potential launch of a T20 competition in Zimbabwe and was advised that I would be paid USD 15,000 to make the journey.
I can’t deny I was a little wary. But the timing was such that we hadn’t been paid for 6 months by Zimbabwe cricket and it was questionable whether Zimbabwe would be able to continue playing in the international arena. So I made the journey. The discussions took place, as he had said, and on our last night in the hotel, the businessman and his colleagues took me for a celebratory dinner.”We had drinks and during the course of the evening they openly offered me cocaine, which they themselves engaged in, and I foolishly took the bait. I’ve gone over it a million times since and still feel sick to my stomach reliving that night and how they played me.”The following morning, the same men stormed into my hotel room and showed me a video taken of me the night before doing cocaine and told me that if I did not spot fix at international matches for them, the video would be released to the public.”I was cornered. And with 6 of these individuals in my hotel room, I was scared for my own safety. I’d fallen for it. I’d willingly walked into a situation that has changed my life forever.”I was handed the USD 15,000 but was told this was now a ‘deposit’ for spot fixing and that an additional USD 20,000 would be paid once the ‘job’ was complete. I took the money so I could get on a plane and leave India. I felt I had no choice at the time because saying no was clearly not an option. All I knew was I had to get out of there.”When I returned home, the stress of what had taken place severely impacted my mental and physical health. I was a mess. I was diagnosed with shingles and prescribed strong anti-psychotic medication – amitriptyline.Related

• 'I didn't know how to do life anymore': Brendan Taylor's biggest battle

• How Brendan Taylor got into a fix

• Brendan Taylor banned for three and a half years for failing to report approach without delay

• Brendon Taylor says he failed drug test after his final international game in September 2021

• Brendan Taylor says he faces ICC ban for delay in reporting approach

“The ‘businessman’ wanted a return on his investment which I could not and would not give. It took me 4 months to report this offence and interaction to the ICC. I acknowledge this was too long of a time but I thought I could protect everyone and in particular, my family. I approached the ICC on my own terms and | hoped that if I explained my predicament, my genuine fear for our safety and wellbeing, that they would understand the delay.”Unfortunately, they did not, but I cannot feign ignorance in this regard. I have attended many anti-corruption seminars over the years and we know that time is of the essence when making reports.”I would like to place on record that I have never been involved in any form of match-fixing. I may be many things but I am not a cheat. My love for the beautiful game of cricket far outweighs and surpasses any threats which could be thrown my way.”As a result of approaching the ICC I attended multiple interviews and engagements and was as honest and transparent as I could be during their investigations. Inside and outside I was beating myself up and I still wish I had sought support and advice earlier for a multitude of reasons.”That being said, the ICC are taking the decision to impose a multi-year ban on my international cricketing career. I humbly accept this decision and only hope that my story will be used as a means of encouragement for cricketers to report any approaches early.”I will admit that the past two years have been incredibly challenging, both personally and professionally, and it is from absolute rock bottom that I am trying to climb out of this mess I made.”My family and friends have been incredibly supportive of me and it is clear to me now that I have a much bigger problem which for some time has needed addressing.”And so, I would also like to let you know that on Tuesday the 25th of January I am checking into a rehabilitation centre to get clean and to get my life back on track. I have to tell my story now because I know people will want to hear from me. To try and understand what led to this point. But for many weeks I will be away and trying to get better.”l owe it to myself and to my family to get clean and to put them first. I have let a substance take control of me and impair my vision, my morals and my values and it is time that I prioritise what really matters.”I also hope my story inspires someone who hears it, to get the help that they need. I had not realised that coming forward and talking would give me so much relief from the hell I have found myself in for years. Drugs and narcotics do not discriminate and it took all that I have to admit that I have a problem.”To end I need to let you know I am sorry for those I have hurt. I am sorry for those I have let down.”I would like to thank my family, my friends and my supporters for always being there. I have learnt the true meaning of loyalty.
The greatest honour that can be bestowed, is to captain and represent ones country and for this, l am eternally grateful.”I am also grateful for what this experience has taught me. I am grateful for my four beautiful children, my loving and supportive wife, my health and the clarity I now have to want to be a better version of myself.”Brendan Taylor.”

Lace becomes third young Middlesex player to join Gloucestershire in four years

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Aug-2020Gloucestershire have announced the signing of 22-year-old batsman Tom Lace with immediate effect on a three-year contract.Lace, who made 835 County Championship runs at 41.75 last year with three hundreds, becomes the third young Middlesex player to join Gloucestershire in four years, after Ryan Higgins and George Scott.He spent the majority of the 2019 season on loan at Derbyshire, topping their Championship averages and making 83, 57, 16 and 125 in his four innings against Gloucestershire.After passing a medical last week, Lace will go straight into the Gloucestershire squad for their Bob Willis Trophy match against Glamorgan on Saturday having been released from his Middlesex contract with immediate effect.”I’m delighted to have signed for Gloucestershire for the next three years,” Lace said. “I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running and helping the team to more success.”Bristol is a brilliant city and Gloucestershire is a county full of hungry and talented young players. I’m hugely grateful to everyone at the club for the opportunity to be a part of that.”Richard Dawson, Gloucestershire’s head coach, described Lace as a “very talented young batsman” with a “great work ethic”.”Last season we saw first-hand when he played for Derbyshire how good a batsman he is,” he said, “and now we look forward to him scoring runs for Gloucestershire.”Angus Fraser, Middlesex’s managing director of cricket, said: “We are sorry to see Tom leave. He is a fine young man with a bright future in the game. When Tom extended his contract, it was on the mutual understanding that if, for whatever reason, he was not playing regular first XI cricket he would be entitled to seek opportunities elsewhere. Everyone at Middlesex wishes him well for the future.”

A magnificent 190 for Hampshire and the misfortune of a few others has put James Vince back in the frame

George Dobell10-May-2019A few weeks ago, James Vince was all but resigned to watching the World Cup on TV. His form was decent but, with England ranked No. 1 in the world and a batsman as accomplished as Alex Hales assured only of a place as first reserve, Vince had been left among the also-rans for a spot in the squad.But then Hales was dropped. And while Vince was still not sure of elevation in his place, he has since seen Joe Clarke and Tom Kohler-Cadmore – both of whom represented the Lions recently – suspended, Dawid Malan injured and Jason Roy suffer a back spasm that has taken too long for comfort to shrug off. All of a sudden, Vince isn’t just in danger of making it into the squad, he’s in danger of making it into the team.That’s not to say he owes his call-up simply to the struggle of others. In every conceivable way, he timed his best innings of the season so far – a record-breaking 190 in the Royal London match against Gloucestershire; Hampshire’s highest List A score – perfectly. It came on the day news of Hales’ drug-test failure emerged and ensured he was in the forefront of selectors’ minds.”It was pretty good timing to get 190 that day,” Vince said at training ahead of the second ODI against Pakistan. “If Alex was here I don’t think I’d be here now. It has given me an opportunity. Now the plan is to get a game or two and get some runs and push my claim ahead of the World Cup.”In the white-ball stuff, I’ve been in and out and covered when guys have been injured. I’ve not really had a huge amount of games in a row but that’s the nature of international cricket.”It’s the nature of the way the white-ball side has gone over the last three or four years, too. They’ve played some magnificent cricket and got to No. 1 in the world, so it’s been a tough team to break into. When I have had opportunities it’s been to pop in for a game knowing that when the main guys are fit I’d be out of the side again unless I did something remarkable.”All I can do is my best when I do get an opportunity to wear the shirt and try to force my way firstly into becoming a regular in the squad and then taking opportunities whenever possible. It only takes an injury or something and I could get a run of games. My job is to be as ready as I can.”He is unlikely to get much of a chance to push his claims on Saturday. Unless Roy suffers a reaction to training on Friday, he will return to the England side in place of Vince who will have to be content with playing in Hampshire’s Royal London semi-final on the same pitch on Sunday.But there is every chance that, before the season is out, he could have regained his place in both England’s Test and ODI side. Noting the difficulties England have had filling the hole at the top of the order in Test cricket, he has opened for Hampshire in this season’s County Championship campaign. And while the big scores are yet to come, his willingness to embrace the role may have sent a positive message to the selectors.”I had a chat with Joe Root and Ed Smith before the summer started to try to see what would give me the best chance of getting back into the Test side,” he said. “And the feedback I got, especially from Ed, was the higher up I batted for Hampshire the better. I think they’re more comfortable moving guys down the order than up it.”Having already played 13 Tests, though, there may be those who feel Vince has been given every opportunity to show what he can do. But he hopes a minor technical change might have helped his footwork. On the evidence of his batting for England over the last week or so, when he made 18 in the ODI in Dublin and 36 in the T20I versus Pakistan, he looks in sublime form.”I have gone slightly narrower with my feet to try to get them moving a bit more rather than being stuck,” he said. “But apart from that I haven’t changed too much.”I have aspirations in all formats. First and foremost, I want to do well for Hampshire and then be as ready as I can to take any opportunities with England. It’s been a bit stop-start for me in international cricket, but if I can get a big score hopefully I can kick on from there.”

Fifties from Javed Ahmadi and Rahmat Shah, and the all-round brilliance of Rashid Khan, consigned Zimbabwe to a 146-run loss

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Feb-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAFP

Fifties from Javed Ahmadi and Rahmat Shah, and the all-round brilliance of Rashid Khan, powered Afghanistan to a 4-1 series win in Sharjah. Their margin of victory – 146 runs – was their second highest in ODI cricket. Their biggest had come in this series as well, in the first game.After opting to bat, Afghanistan had a steady start with Ahmadi and Rahmat putting on 129 for the second wicket following the early dismissal of Mohammad Shahzad. Their partnership contributed 54% of Afghanistan’s total. Ahmadi was particularly fluent against spin, scoring 55 runs off 53 balls. Rahmat hit Chisoro for 30 runs off 23 balls but Sikandar Raza had him slicing a catch to long-off for 59. Rahmat ended the series as the top-scorer with 272 runs in four innings at an average of 68. Three overs later, Ahmadi was run out for 76 off 87 balls. From 142 for 1, Afghanistan slumped to 177 for 7. Rashid’s 29-ball 43, though, hauled the team to 241 for 9.In reply, Zimbabwe collapsed to 95 all out in 32.1 overs with only two of their batsmen passing 20. Rashid took 3 for 13 to finish as the leading wicket-taker in the series with 16 wickets, at an outstanding average of 7.93.Brendan Taylor (27) and Craig Ervine (34) rebuilt the chase briefly with a 46-run stand, before Zimbabwe imploded. They lost their last eight wickets for 23 runs with 16-year old Mujeeb Zadran, Shapoor Zadran, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Nabi, and Rashid sharing the spoils. Rashid took three wickets in six balls to wrap up the tail.

Hamish Marshall’s third T20 century led Wellington to a six-wicket victory over Otago in Alexandra

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Dec-2016
ScorecardFile photo: Hamish Marshall struck 12 fours and three sixes•Getty Images

Hamish Marshall’s third T20 century led Wellington to a six-wicket victory over Otago in Alexandra. His innings was all the more remarkable considering the target was only 160.Marshall walloped 100 off only 58 balls with 12 fours and three sixes to secure the win with more than three overs to spare. His knock was, perhaps, necessary as well considering Otago were able to get regular wickets at the other end. The first one fell with the score on 30, while the second and third came within 13 runs. But that mattered less and less with Marshall lasting longer and longer. His first fifty came in 34 balls and the second one took only 24.Otago struggled to have a batsman make similarly big runs. Only their opener and captain Hamish Rutherford got past 32 – and even then he fell for 47. While he was in, the second wicket contributed 41 runs at 9.46 per over and, in the slog overs, Michael Bracewell and Josh Finnie added 58 runs for the fifth wicket at 9.40 per over. The late surge, it turned out, came a little too late.Credit for that should also go to the Wellington bowlers. Luke Woodcock and Hamish Bennett picked up three wickets between them, and conceded a little over seven runs an over each. Grant Elliott was better, giving away just over a run a ball.The most economical bowler on the day though was Otago left-arm spinner Anaru Kitchen, who opened the bowling and finished with 4-0-15-1.

Alex Ross scored an unbeaten 97 to deliver South Australia a place in the Matador Cup final against New South Wales

Brydon Coverdale23-Oct-2015
ScorecardAlex Ross made a career-best 97 not out•Getty Images

Three weeks ago, the Matador Cup squads changed dramatically with the influx of Test players after the cancellation of Australia’s tour of Bangladesh. South Australia, without any players in the national side, were the only team whose squad was unaffected. But the young Redbacks group has defied the odds to see off a much-fancied Victoria and book a place in Sunday’s final.It is quite an achievement for a team featuring only two players – Callum Ferguson and Kane Richardson – who have played for Australia in any format. Their final opponents, New South Wales, have at times in this tournament had 11 international players in their team. But in the elimination final it was the young batsman Alex Ross who set up the victory with his unbeaten 97.Victoria’s line-up was so imposing that Cameron White was made 12th man, but chasing 251 their batting order failed to fire. A direct hit from Jake Lehmann had Aaron Finch run out for a duck in the second over and the No.3 Marcus Stoinis laboured for 102 deliveries for his 56 before he was bowled trying to slog sweep the spinner Tom Andrews.Rob Quiney had plenty of luck on his way to a half-century. On 47 he was given two reprieves, when Daniel Worrall’s delivery clipped the off stump but the bail stayed on, and when he skied a chance that the South Australia captain Travis Head put down at mid-off. Quiney moved on to 71 but when Adam Zampa got rid of him, South Australia were on top.The required run-rate kept ballooning and Victoria’s decision to send Peter Handscomb in ahead of Glenn Maxwell failed, when Handscomb checked his shot and was caught at mid-off from the bowling of Richardson for 6 off 16 balls. Maxwell had to go hard and was caught at deep point off Joe Mennie; Richardson picked up two more wickets as Victoria were dismissed for 194 in the 47th over.The final margin was 56 runs; Mennie and Ross had compiled an invaluable 64-run stand late in the South Australian innings after the top-order batsmen failed to go on with their starts. Mennie struck 33 at a run a ball and Ross struck 10 fours and one six in his unbeaten 97 off 104 deliveries; he missed the chance for a maiden century but did enough to get his side into the final.Ross had taken his time and did not get off the mark until his 20th delivery, but he had come in at four down in the 17th over so some caution was advisable. Once he was set he made the most of it; his half-century came from 70 deliveries and he was still there at the end. Tom Cooper (32) and Head (29) had made top-order contributions, but Ross was the key.Regardless of what happens on Sunday, reaching the final has been a fine achievement for the Redbacks, in the first season under the leadership of captain Head and new coach Jamie Siddons.