Fast bowler to felon to free: Dion Taljard's long wait for a second innings

Dion Taljard served seven years, eight months and two days in prison after being convicted of rape, a crime he vehemently denies.

Taljard was a talented fast bowler who played first-class cricket for Border. He took 60 wickets at 30.93 in 25 matches, including a career-best 6/49 against Pakistan in 1998.

He moved to England in 2000 and played in the Lancashire leagues until 2008.

In 2017, Taljard was sentenced to 18 years in prison on 19 counts of rape, two of indecent assault, and one of witness intimidation.

He was released in 2022 after serving half his sentence and returned to South Africa.

Taljard maintains his innocence and claims the allegations against him are false. He says he has the support of many people who knew him during his time in prison.

He is now playing cricket again for Old Selbornians, a club in East London.