Former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu returns to professional cricket at 35; wants son to see him play

Former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu has announced his return to professional cricket at the age of 35 as he signs a deal to play for Baduraliya Sports Club, a Sri Lankan First-class side.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, who became the youngest ever Test captain at the age of 21 when he led Zimbabwe in 2004, is likely to feature for Baduraliya Sports Club later this month.

Despite moving away from cricket to focus on church work in 2012, Taibu made a comeback to the game in 2016 when he joined Hightown St Mary’s CC in the UK as player and coach. In 2017, he was appointed convener of selectors in Zimbabwe, but in the aftermath of Zimbabwe’s failure to qualify for World Cup 2019, he along with head coach Heath Streak, captain Graeme Cremer and other staff members were sacked by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC).

Taibu’s motivation to return to the sport was his son, who wanted to know more about how he played during his career.

“My son Tatenda junior often asks how I used to play, now that he has taken a liking to the sport. He didn’t really get the chance to see me as he was too young at the time,” he told the press in the UK, where he is now based.

“I have stayed extremely fit and healthy and feel I’m still one of the fittest cricketers around, so I thought maybe I can let him see for himself how I can perform.”

Taibu also confirmed that his potentially explosive autobiography has been finalised and is scheduled for release in April 2019.