James Taylor | Embracing the Challenge

Giving The Game Away

With 27 ODIs and 7 Test matches under his belt, former England cricketer, James Taylor, was an extremely talented batsman and fielder, who was renowned for his work ethic and physical fitness. And it was his exceptional fitness levels that ultimately saved his life, when in 2016, he was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy or ARVC, a life-threatening heart condition, similar to the one sustained by Fabrice Muamba. If it wasn't for James' excellent fitness, it is unlikely that he would have survived.

Unfortunately, the condition forced Taylor’s retirement and robbed him of more success as an England cricketer. However, prior to the diagnosis in 2016, Taylor had already achieved so much in an England shirt. He scored a 98* versus Australia in a World Cup, and later scored a hundred against the same opposition. He was a big game player, and was always confident that he would perform in high-pressured situations due to the hard-work and preparation he put in off-the-field.

Perhaps James’ fondest memory on a cricket pitch was actually the two incredible catches he took in Johannesburg during a historic series win against South Africa. Such is the cruel nature of sport, it was just a matter of weeks after the highs of Jo’burg that James received the devastating news that his playing career was over.

Not only could James no longer play cricket again, the sport that he loved and had spent most of his life playing, but he could no longer play any sport at all, or any activity that could increase his heart rate whatsoever. For someone who loved competing, training, and staying fit - that was an extremely tough blow.

But what’s incredible about James is his sheer positivity, and shortly after the diagnosis, he changed his focus from what he couldn’t do to what he can do. He is still involved in the game, working as a coach, as a commentator and also as a selector for the England team. In his new role as selector, James was able to contribute to England’s World Cup heroics in 2019, and although James is unable to don the England whites any more, it is certain that he will still bring so much positivity to cricket in this country in the years to come.