HARARE, ZIMBABWE – Cricket captain Brendan Taylor finally left for the West Indies yesterday after passing a late fitness test.
Taylor had missed travelling with the rest of the team after suffering from a short illness following his return from the Bangladesh Premier League last Friday.
He was required to take the mandatory fitness test which he underwent on yesterday morning under the supervision of fitness trainer Lorraine Chivandire.
“Due to his illness and the fact that he had returned to Zimbabwe on a long haul flight prior to that, Taylor narrowly missed passing the fitness test but after consulting with Taylor and the fitness trainer and after reviewing his medical report, the board has decided to allow him to proceed to the West Indies to join the rest of the squad,” Zimbabwe Cricket said in a statement. “The fitness trainer has set out a stringent programme for him which he will carry out in the West Indies under the guidance of the team physiotherapist.” The national team will play a warm up match against a University of the West Indies Vice Chancellors XI on Wednesday before the first One Day International on Friday.
Taylor was forced to apologise last week after publicly criticising Zimbabwe Cricket for dropping bowling coach Heath Streak and batting coach Grant Flower for the West Indies tour.
