Kevin Pietersen and Brendan Taylor: Two stellar county signings with vastly different goals

KP aims to play for England again as Taylor bids international cricket farewell

Taylor (left) has signed for Nottinghamshire, while Pietersen has re-joined Surrey (Getty Images)

This week it was confirmed that Kevin Pietersen will forgo the riches of a full IPL stint to play first-class cricket for Surrey and fight to win back his Test place.

Furthermore, he will donate the entirety of his wages to charity. Regardless of the positive PR this generates for a polarising figure this is a hugely admirable gesture, just as it was when David Beckham gave up his earnings during his stint at PSG.

Whatever the consequences of his decision – he is almost 35, and hasn't played anything longer than a T20 in 14 months – it is a timely boost for the flagging credentials of Test cricket and dispels the notion that Pietersen is motivated primarily by money.

Understandably, given England's dismal World Cup, KP's domestic return has dominated the cricket column inches.

Nottinghamshire's signing of the Zimbabwean batsman Brendan Taylor a fortnight ago caused far less of a stir.

This is a huge shame, because the 29-year-old may prove to be a superb signing. Discounting the peerless Kumar Sangakarra, Taylor was the best batsmen in the World Cup group stages, plundering 433 runs faster than a run-a-ball at an average of 72.16.

He followed 121 off 91 balls against Ireland with an extraordinary 138 off 110 against India, the best innings of his career. Both were in losing causes, an occupational hazard for a man who has been Zimbabwe's only consistent world-class performer throughout a dismal period in the nation's history on and off the cricket field.

They were also the final innings on the world stage for a batsman just reaching the peak of his powers. In signing a three-year Kolpak deal to represent Notts as a non-overseas player, he is sacrificing his international career.

Taylor, despite his undoubted quality, simply isn't in a position to donate his wages to charity. His 11 years in international cricket were played out against the backdrop of near-constant turmoil for Zimbabwe Cricket, with repeated, exhausting standoffs over meagre pay and unpaid wages.

Taylor celebrates reaching 100 in his final innings for Zimbabwe (Getty) (Getty Images)

Before the match against India, Taylor was candid. "There are times when you have to provide for your family and that becomes more important," he said.

"When you have kids, it becomes important that you give them the best upbringing. I had to prioritize and that's what it is."

As he left the pitch after his final, brilliant innings for his country Taylor was congratulated by Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina – three superstars who, like Pietersen, have reaped the rewards offered by the modern game.

If he had represented India, England or Australia, things could have turned out very differently for Taylor. He is a reminder of the gaping chasm between the game's financial powerhouses and its struggling nations.

While Pietersen's return to county cricket is his one last throw of the dice, Taylor's move to England represents a fresh start and the financial security his talent warrants. Both will be desperate to make an impression.