James Taylor sadly forced to retire

Leicestershire CCC is saddened to hear that the career of former player James Taylor has been brought to an end by a serious heart condition.

Taylor originally withdrew from Nottinghamshire’s fixture against Cambridge MCCU last week 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’s diagnosis is similar to that of former footballer Fabrice Muamba following his collapse on the field in 2012. He requires an operation, which will take place in the coming days.

The batsman played for Leicestershire Young Cricketers and made his first-class career debut for the club. Taylor scored over 1,000 first-class runs for three consecutive seasons at Grace Road and averaged an impressive 49.18 over 53 matches.

Of his 3,689 first-class runs for Leicestershire, Taylor registered nine first-class hundreds and three double centuries, including a personal best of 237 against Loughborough MCCU.

Taylor also had an impressive one-day record for the Foxes, scoring 1,451 runs at a terrific average of 50.03. He made 981 runs at 35.03 in T20 and was part of the 2011 winning team alongside current Elite Performance Director Andrew McDonald.

Taylor and McDonald also came together to good effect in first-class cricket. The duo shared an unbroken 360 for the fourth wicket in the County Championship against Middlesex in 2010, a partnership that remains in the record books.

McDonald said: “It is such a cruel blow for James to have to retire from cricket. The news is devastating and has come as a huge shock to everybody at Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

“James made his first-class debut here, had an incredible record for us, and then fulfilled his dream of playing for England. Everybody at the club wishes James and his family all the very best at this extremely difficult time.”

Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell said: “Myself and all of James’ teammates & 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.”

England Team Director Andrew Strauss added: "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.”