Uncertainty over Brendan Taylor's future

Confusion surrounds the future of Zimbabwe's wicketkeeper-batsman Brendan Taylor after reports that he has been playing club cricket abroad despite a ruling by Ozias Bvute, the board's managing director, that nationally contracted players were forbidden from doing so.

Taylor, who is reported to be playing on a three-month contract in the Netherlands, is said to have had a blazing row with Bvute which led to him refusing to play in the Logan Cup, Zimbabwe's domestic competition.

Taylor has been named in the Zimbabwe side to meet India A later this month, but rumours persist that he will not play. "I don't think he will play for Zimbabwe again," a source close to the player told Cricinfo, "but that depends on Bvute."

Taylor is no stranger to clashes with authority, and unlike many team-mates, he does not rely on income from the game.

The return of Tatenda Taibu as wicketkeeper-batsman - assuming he does sort out his own differences with the board - reduces the reliance on Taylor and the board may well seize the opportunity to ditch him and send a clear message to others who are thought to be considering their futures.

Were Taibu and Taylor to be unavailable, then the keeping place would probably go to Tafadzwa Mufambisi, another player overlooked because of his attitude.