James Taylor Retires

England and Nottinghamshire batsman James Taylor’s career has been sadly brought to an end by a serious heart condition.
Taylor originally withdrew from last week’s fixture against Cambridge MCCU with what was believed to be a viral condition.
However, specialist scans revealed yesterday that the 26-year-old has the very serious heart condition, ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Arrhythmia).
Taylor played the first of his seven Tests against South Africa in 2012 and was part of the England team that won famously against the same opposition last winter.
The middle-order batsman also played 27 ODIs and was captain for England’s trip to Ireland last May.

James Taylor, aged 26, made his Test debut in 2012 and was part of the side that beat South Africa last winter

England Team Director Andrew Strauss said: "It is both shocking and saddening to hear that James' career has been cut short in such a sudden and unexpected manner.
“Throughout his career, he has constantly impressed with his determination to make the absolute most of his ability, and it is immensely cruel that such a hard working player will be unable to fulfil his great potential in the international arena.
“The ECB will work closely with Nottinghamshire and together we will do everything possible to help James through this difficult period, and aid him in his recovery."
Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell added: "Myself and all of James’ teammates and colleagues are terribly sad to hear this news, which comes as a big shock to us all.
“He is a model professional, the most hard working I’ve ever known in cricket, making it all the more difficult to accept that his career has been cut short in this way.
“It goes without saying that he has the very best wishes of us all in terms of recovering from his operation, and that we are looking forward to seeing him back at Trent Bridge when he is fit and able.”

Very sad to hear, wish him all the best.

Horrid news, superb batsman. Wish him all the best

Very sad news this but logical and only decision really. Hopefully, this condition won't hinder him too much in life and perhaps he can move onto the commentary side of things or something or coaching.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/36024253

Absolutely devastating for the lad, thank god it's been picked up and hopefully he gets better soon

Genuinely gutted, such a talent taken away

Shocking news really. And scary stuff too. Terrible shame, but absolutely the right decision - health comes first. Just gutter he never got a Test Hundred to retire with.

His dad still does a lot with horses (who'd have thought!) so he may go in to that. Seems a level bloke, so should be okay in the long run.

Just read this, absolutely gutted for him, such a promising and talented player who was just breaking through into the international scene

Wow - pretty horrible news, and what sounds like a really serious condition (I checked the BHF website). One of the possible outcomes is sudden death during exertion, so obviously no chance of continuing his career even if correctly medicated.

Apparently though not particularly a life-limiting condition (other than as a pro sportsman or commercial HGV / PSV driver), provided it is controlled by medication.

Paul didn't see this before posting my thread - could you merge please?

As others have said - horrid news, such a shame. So much talent that won't be realised now

Shocking news, just established himself in the international team.

Similar to Muamba according to Newell.

Second for the thread merge - also this probably sits better in the general rather than Domestic cricket section as he is an established England player

Thinking from his perspective, well I just couldn't imagine it really. Literally having your dream, the thing you've worked all your life towards, taken from you at the very early stages.

Terrible news - what a superb talent.

I'm glad they were able to catch the condition before he unknowingly endangered himself though playing.

Olly wrote:Paul didn't see this before posting my thread - could you merge please?

As others have said - horrid news, such a shame. So much talent that won't be realised now

Done

Just seen this, what terrible news, horrible thing to happen to Taylor, who's always seemed like a very good bloke, with tremendous dedication to his sport and himself.

While it is horrible that he's being forced to retire, it's a very good thing they've caught the condition, since it could obviously have been much, much worse...

Wish him all the best for the future.

Englands most underutilised batsmen the last few years, takes his chance and now forced to retire. Life can be cruel sometimes.

I much appreciate Paul and Olly setting up threads, didn't know this news before. [Very minor point in the scheme of things but James Taylor's cricketing career extended beyond the domestic game and so I feel this should have remained as a Topic.]

I said the other day that I often found Andrew Strauss too slick. However, I believe his words here of ''shock'' and ''sadness'' are totally appropriate. It is also right of him to pay tribute to Taylor's ''determination'', a characteristic I will always associate with him.

MfC is absolutely correct that this could have resulted in something far worse (older posters will recall Wilf Slack). Whilst all should therefore heave a sigh of some relief that Taylor's condition has been spotted early, it is still almost impossible today to see beyond this staggering news.

I have never met James Taylor. However, I spoke to two Surrey players, Steve Davies and Jason Roy, about him when we were playing against him in his Leicestershire days. Their appreciation of his ability and value to his side was both clear and immense.

Gregers wrote:Horrid news, superb batsman. Wish him all the best

I didn't know you were still alive Gregorino

Terrible news for Taylor, and for England. Just glad they caught it before he had anything bad happen during a game. I'm sure he'll have a long career in coaching, if that's what he wants to do.

Mad for Chelsea wrote:Just seen this, what terrible news, horrible thing to happen to Taylor, who's always seemed like a very good bloke, with tremendous dedication to his sport and himself.

While it is horrible that he's being forced to retire, it's a very good thing they've caught the condition, since it could obviously have been much, much worse...

Wish him all the best for the future.

+1

Jeez, thats harsh.

Really, really sad news. James Taylor is/was a great talent and it's such a massive shame that he - and cricket followers everywhere - won't get to see him play in what should have been the peak of his career.

LondonTiger wrote:

Mad for Chelsea wrote:Just seen this, what terrible news, horrible thing to happen to Taylor, who's always seemed like a very good bloke, with tremendous dedication to his sport and himself.

While it is horrible that he's being forced to retire, it's a very good thing they've caught the condition, since it could obviously have been much, much worse...

Wish him all the best for the future.

+1

+2

As a batsman who relied on timing and 'feel' above all else he was always an enjoyable player to watch. His small stature also made him a very different style of batsmen to the bigger/stronger players we see these days.

A fantastic batsmen in all forms and an incredible fielder close to the bat.

All the best with whatever you pursue next James.

Taylor retires with a first class average of 46.06, with 47 fifties and 20 hundreds and a high score of 291

List A average of 53.11 (4th highest of all time I believe), with 30 fifties and 15 hundreds at a strike rate of 84, and a high score of 146*

T20 average of 34.59, with 8 fifties at a strike rate of 117

His international stats are good, and would only have improved over the coming months - he'll be a big loss against the sub continental sides in particular, a fabulous player of spin

http://www.espncricinfo.com/countycricket2010/engine/match/435576.html

First time I saw him bat live, and he even signed Page 3 of the S*n for us on the boundary. Lovely chap.

And walking away with the fourth highest List A average of all time is no mean feat - it is just scary to think that excessive exertion could have been fatal, and he was batting for hours in the 40 degree heat in the UAE only a few months ago. As MFC et al have said, thank goodness they caught it.

Didn't see this so I left my comments on the England selection thread. Should have realised it would be hiding in Domestic cricket...

To repeat anyway I was gutted for him. If he wasn't a nailed on Test player yet he was a damned fine prospect - as Olly says his playing against spin would have made him an important factor in subcontinental tours ; and I thought he had a strong chance of becoming as valuable in Tests as he already was in ODI.

Wish him well for the future ; and I'm glad I saw him play.

If you haven't watched the interview done with Taylor yet I recommend you do so - brings a tear to your eye, but my god he WA so lucky to still be alive

The toll on his heart was the equivalent of someone running five marathons in six hours. 265bpm for six hours

That's just insane