Zimbabwe's Brendan Taylor surpasses Sachin Tendulkar for longest cricketing career in men's ODIs; who are in top 5?

Zimbabwe's Brendan Taylor did what no one in the last 14 years could achieve, as the 40-year-old surpassed legendary Indian Sachin Tendulkar for the longest cricketing career in one-day internationals. Having made his ODI debut for Zimbabwe in 2004, the wicketkeeper batter achieved the feat during the first game against Australia in Harare on Tuesday.

Taylor's ODI career spans 22 years and 146 days, ahead of Tendulkar, who played one-dayers for 22 years and 91 days. The Zimbabwean made his debut against Sri Lanka in Bulawayo and went on to become one of the pillars of the country's cricket.

As of September 15, 2026, Taylor has scored 11 ODI centuries in 207 matches - an all-time record for Zimbabwe. Although he retired in 2021, he was handed a three-and-a-half-year ban in 2022 for breaching the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Anti-Doping codes. After his ban ended, Taylor made a U-turn in 2025, as Zimbabwe prepared to host the ODI World Cup in 2027.

However, Tendulkar still holds the record for most ODI runs (18,426) and the most matches (463) in the 50-over format. Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya stands third on the list with a career of 21 years and 184 days, followed by legendary Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad, who played for just over two decades. Taylor's former teammate Sean Williams is fifth on the list.

Players with longest career in men's ODIs

Mitchell Marsh opts to bat in 100th ODI

Earlier, Australia won the toss and opted to bat first in Harare. This is the first time Australia have toured Zimbabwe since 2014. The series is part of Australia's preparations for next year's World Cup. But Australia rested its regular captain Pat Cummins for the three ODIs against Zimbabwe. He will join the team in South Africa for three ODIs and Test matches.

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh is one of the three survivors in both teams to have played in the last ODI in Zimbabwe, which the hosts won. Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza and Brendan Taylor are the other two players who competed in that famous Zimbabwe victory in 2014.

Cameron Green was left out of the playing XI due to shoulder soreness while Josh Hazlewood also sat out as Australia went with three pace bowlers - Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson in the first game.

Zimbabwe vs Australia 1st ODI playing XIs

Australia: Mitchell Marsh(c), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis(w), Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, Oliver Peake, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Spencer Johnson.

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Brendan Taylor(w), Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza(c), Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Wellington Masakadza, and Blessing Muzarabani.