English batsman James Taylor ends career over serious heart condition
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English batsman James Taylor, who had at one point in 2015 captained the England team, has retired from international cricket after being diagnosed with a critical heart ailment. The ailment was originally suspected to be minor, but Taylor will now undergo surgery next week for the condition.
Taylor had debuted for the national team in 2011 and played on and off for the one-day squad averaging 42.23 in the format. After being named as England's captain for the Ireland tour in April 2015 for one match in the absence of captain Eoin Morgan, Taylor had notched up a century against the touring Australian side in September.
He had withdrawn from the Nottinghamshire squad that faced Cambridge MCCU last week with what was thought a viral condition. However, specialist scans revealed yesterday that the 26-year-old has the very serious heart condition, ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Arrhythmia), reported ecb.co.uk.
Taylor remained optimistic and sent a message to his followers on social media yesterday.
Safe to say this has been the toughest week of my life! My world is upside down. But I'm here to stay and I'm battling on! #lifestooshort 😝🤒
— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) April 12, 2016
Former captain and 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.”
Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell admitted that the news came as a “big shock” and said, “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,"
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.”
