zimcricketforums.com

I've seen this done on other forums before when a player retires - for example http://saintsational.net/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=86430
When I saw sloandog mention in another thread that he hopes BT reads all these nice messages I felt the same way.

So what I'll do, if we can get say at least 20 messages (to make it worthwhile) - I'll print them all out, bind them into a booklet and mail it to Nottinghamshire CCC so that he is guaranteed to receive it.

So if you have a message you'd like to send to BT, put it in this thread

Awesome idea. I will type something up.

I definitely would like to be part. Ill work on my message today and then post it a bit later.

Dear BT

Unfortunately, I find myself unable to not start off on a solemn note. You more than most know about the recent past of Zimbabwe Cricket. Every trouble and every issue created the ZC board was like a dagger through the hearts of those who hold the team so dear. Through all those troubles, the fans have struggled. But despite everything that had happened, one thing always kept us going. Every squad announcement, every tumultuous saga, the fans looked and we saw that Brendan Taylor was still there. You were always the glimmer of hope that every Zimbabwean fan had. You became Mr Zimbabwe Cricket. To every single fan, as long as our captain was there, then everything was fine. For eleven years you have given us so much to be proud of as Zimbabwean fans. You have given everything to the sport and to your country. Everything that went right for Zimbabwe Cricket in the last eleven years had Brendan Taylor at its cornerstone.

To sum up the level of gratitude the fans have for what you have done can not be done justice in this letter. We are forever in debt and thank you for everything. We wish you and your family all the very best in your future endeavours. Maybe one day, just one day, we will be blessed and lucky to witness you don the famous Red one more time.

Simply put, Thank You Brendan!

Ahmed

Dear BT

Why are you so fat?
Whose biscuits have you been eating?

It's always been a pleasure to watch you play and I wish you all the best, you have a great skill set and I look forward to watching you make a pile of runs for Notts.

Ok here's mine:

As a kid growing up in Zimbabwe, I was always obsessed with cricket, probably because of the side we had. The usual names were knocking about back then i.e the Flower sisters, Campbell, Streak, Olonga. The past 10 years have been difficult to say the least, what with all the off field politics playing such a huge role. But I tell you what Brendan, seeing your name on that team sheet was always reassuring to me as a dedicated Zimbabwean. It provided hope and a realization that we still had a world class player in the side, maybe not when you first started out, but certainly as your career took off around 2007.

Having been at Harare on the day you played against Sri Lanka in 2004, me being an 11 year old kid wondering where my heroes were, I can honestly say it has been an absolute pleasure following your career. You played for Haywood in the CLL in 2008 and I watched you in a few games, highlighting your class more and more. You truly are a hero mate, both off the field and on it, you've always conducted yourself well and have dug in with Zimbabwe for as long as you can. But it's time to move on, as the old saying goes, nothing lasts for ever and so all good things must come to and end. It's emotional to think that I won't see you play at Harare anymore when I go back home and holiday, but you (like Flower) will live on in the memory and go down as one of Zimbabwe's greatest cricketers. Like Flower and Houghton, you're in good wicket keeping company there mate.

Farewell mate, I wish you and your family all the success In the world, you deserve it. Just wrap up in Nottingham, it can get a bit nippy

Ryan

Here is mine:

From a Bangladesh fan,

Dear Brendan...even though I'm a fan of your closest rivals, it pained me to learn of your departure from the Zimbabwe fraternity. Of course, I wish you the best in your personal and professional lives, as every person deserves the best of his destiny. But Bangladesh-Zimbabawe fixtures will never been the same. You were a tremendous player, and not just because of your class on the field, but off of it as well. I want you to know that although we rooted for your wicket every time you played against us, Bangladesh fans, recognized and respected your match-winning ability. Zimbabwe will not easily replace the skill and ability you brought into the team. You are truly a massive loss for the side, and the circumstances have been unfortunate.

Best wishes to you and your family, Brendan!

- Asaad

Dear BT,
Come back you prick.
Half a day retired and I'm already having withdrawls.

Bat well, pick up an overseas player county contract and have the best of both worlds!

Silver bullet. One of the highest run getters this cup So why not?

I miss you,
'Dogg

Dear BT,
Wish you'd be back after your county stint is over. I want to see you play for Zim in the next World Cup too. It's difficult for me to even imagine a Zim team without you.

Dear Brendan,

For the last decade you have been the heart and soul of everything cricket in Zimbabwe. You stepped into the national team at the most difficult time in Zimbabwe's history and led from the front. I remember seeing your first match for Zimbabwe and I was very glad to see your last innings also. Hitting the world champions around the park was a great way to sign off. I hope you will one day return but even if you don't your legacy is secure. You are up there with Dave Houghton, Andy and Grant Flower, and Heath Streak as true Zimbabwean legends.

Best wishes for the future,

Eugene Lavery