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BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe: Former Zimbabwe cricket captain Brendan Taylor is set to return to international cricket after serving a 3 ½-year ban for breaching the sport’s anti-corruption code.

Taylor has been named in Zimbabwe’s 16-member squad for the second test against New Zealand, starting in Bulawayo on Aug. 7.

“I certainly did think it was all done, but here I am — and it’s an overwhelming feeling of gratitude,” Taylor said in a statement issued by Zimbabwe Cricket on Wednesday. “I have to pinch myself a little to realize that I’m actually here. I’ve been soaking it all up and embracing every moment. It’s just been a really nice integration.

“The last year and a half has certainly been dedicated to my return. I’ve put in an immense amount of work — from fitness to the technical side to diet — and I’m feeling a lot leaner, fitter and mentally stronger. That’s only been possible through sobriety.”

The International Cricket Council banned Taylor in Jan. 2022 after he admitted to four charges under the anti-corruption code stemming from an incident in 2019 when he said he accepted $15,000 from businessmen in India, who asked him to fix international games.

Taylor claimed he took the money but never fixed any games.

He also was found guilty of an anti-doping offense after testing positive for the stimulant Benzoylecognine, which is a cocaine metabolite.

Taylor has undergone a thorough rehabilitation program and has according to ZC, the former captain has “consistently demonstrated a sincere commitment to personal growth, accountability and restoring trust.”

“Brendan has endured an incredibly difficult chapter in his life and shown genuine remorse, coupled with a powerful determination to make things right – not just for himself but for the good of the game in Zimbabwe,” ZC managing director Givemore Makoni said.

Taylor has played 34 test matches for Zimbabwe since making his debut in 2004 that include six centuries.

SINGAPORE: Tunisia’s Ahmed Jaouadi won his first major title with victory in the 800m freestyle at swimming’s world championships on Wednesday with a perfectly timed attack.

Jaouadi made his move midway through the race in Singapore and eased away to touch the wall in 7min 36.88sec, ahead of German pair Sven Schwarz (7:39.96) and 400m champion Lukas Maertens (7:40.19).

Jaouadi, who finished fourth at last year’s Paris Olympics, clocked the third-fastest time ever.

“I didn’t really think about strategy, I was just trying to control the race and see what happens,” said the 20-year-old.

“At some point I saw that the rhythm wasn’t that fast so I decided to just go and make the move.”

Ireland’s Olympic champion Daniel Wiffen finished last in 7:58.56.

Bobby Finke, the Olympic 1,500m champion, was fourth in 7:46.42.

Jaouadi dedicated his win to fellow Tunisian Ahmed Hafnaoui, a former Olympic and world champion who received a 21-month suspension in April for three anti-doping violations.

“This one is for Hafnaoui — he’s having some hard times now,” said Jaouadi.

Australia’s Sam Short, who qualified second-fastest for the final, was forced to withdraw hours before the race with stomach trouble.

Short, the silver medallist in the 400m freestyle, is the latest swimmer to be hit by illness this week in Singapore.

The United States team said the “overwhelming majority” of their swimmers had suffered from acute gastroenteritis, while Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi complained of feeling unwell before his 100m breaststroke final.