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NewsDay

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Taylor eyes Essex deal

Sport
National cricket team skipper Brendan Taylor has set his sights on a move to English County Championship side Essex in a bid to maintain his fitness during the current domestic off-season break. The recent conclusion of the domestic cricket season has seen some local players joining foreign clubs to keep in shape and also familiarise […]

National cricket team skipper Brendan Taylor has set his sights on a move to English County Championship side Essex in a bid to maintain his fitness during the current domestic off-season break.

The recent conclusion of the domestic cricket season has seen some local players joining foreign clubs to keep in shape and also familiarise themselves with different conditions ahead of the new season.

Taylor, who has already featured in two Twenty20 (T20) competitions in New Zealand and Bangladesh, told NewsDay Sport he was hoping to ink a deal with Essex to feature for them in the Friends Life T20 — England’s premier domestic T20 competition.

The competition will run from June 12 to August 25. Should the move materialise it would be ideal preparation for the 26-year-old aggressive right-handed batsman for the ICC World T20 between September 18 and October 7.

“My recent move to Bangladesh was short but exciting as I managed to be part of the first-ever T20 competition in that country. At the moment I’m hoping to secure a move to England with Essex for their T20 competition in June which would be another exciting opportunity,” said Taylor.

Taylor is not the only player who has been or is still eyeing a move abroad during this offseason break. National cricket team middle-order batsman Malcolm Waller is currently playing for Scottish Ferguslie Cricket Club The 27-year-old right handed batsman and right arm off-spinner was recently unveiled as the club’s latest overseas professional.

“We are delighted to confirm the signing of Zimbabwe Test player Malcolm Waller as the Ferguslie professional for 2012.

“Malcolm brings huge experience to the club this year. He has been in fantastic form while on tour with Zimbabwe in New Zealand,” reads a statement on the club’s official website.

Waller established himself in the national squad in all formats during the just-ended season where Zimbabwe played Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand.

Malcolm Waller’s cousin, Nathan, who helped Mashonaland Eagles win the Coca-Cola Pro50 Championship in the last match of the domestic season, is currently on the books of Lisburn Cricket Club in Ireland.

Promising former national Under-19 off-spinner Simon Mugava is also in the United Kingdom at Eversley Cricket Club in the Thames Valley Cricket League.

Mugava was one of the most consistent spinners in the Castle Lager Logan Cup competition. Mountaineers all-rounder Timycen Maruma is on the books of Lancaster Cricket Club while Kyle Jarvis has been in top form for Central Districts in New Zealand.