Brendan Taylor almost quit Zimbabwe

Brendan Taylor nearly walked out on Zimbabwe cricket last month after being refused permission to play club cricket in Europe, according to a report in the Zimbabwe Independent.

Taylor's father, Graham, said that the board's refusal to allow his son to play overseas was unfair. "It's a bad business decision not to allow these kids to go overseas," he said. "It's beneficial to the player and to Zimbabwe cricket at large. Everyone knows India are not coming and we don't know when the next series is, so it makes sense for the guys to go overseas.

"Brendan understands that his country comes first, he is a patriotic young man. But he is keen to go and play overseas and should have been at his club by now. The people there have been patient about his delay. We are not making threats, but if he can't get leave he will be forced to resign."

Taylor found himself in hot water last year when he defied the board and played in Europe, and he has also had previous run-ins with officialdom.

Some players, including former captain Terry Duffin, have already turned their backs on Zimbabwe cricket in recent months and opted to play club cricket in Europe.