Brendan Taylor, Longest careers in ODIs: A special and immortal record in the history of cricket was established in the first match of the three-match ODI series between Australia and Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club. Zimbabwe’s 40-year-old veteran batsman Brandon Taylor broke the record of the longest ODI career of the great Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar as soon as he stepped on the field. Taylor’s ODI career has now reached 22 years and 148 days, with which he has become the longest active player in the history of men’s ODI cricket.
From Bulawayo 2004 to Harare 2026
Sachin Tendulkar had made a world record of playing for 22 years and 91 days in his ODI career. Taylor left this milestone behind after spending more than 22 years and 4 months. Taylor made his ODI debut in 2004 against Sri Lanka in Bulawayo at the age of just 18. Today, at the age of 40, he completed a journey of 22 years and 148 days by taking the field against Australia.
Taylor’s journey has not been easy. He retired in the year 2021 and after this he also faced a ban of three and a half years from the ICC. After overcoming all the difficulties, he returned to international cricket in 2025 and has now registered his name forever in the pages of history. The record of scoring the maximum number of 11 centuries in ODI cricket for Zimbabwe is also recorded in his name.
Leopard-like agility seen on the field
Even at the age of 40, Brandon Taylor’s fitness and reflexes looked amazing. He took an incredible diving catch in the air to send Australia’s in-form batsman Josh Inglis to the pavilion. His catch thrilled the fans present in Harare and proved that he is not just on the field for the record but as the most effective player of the team.