Shropshire Star

James Taylor: Cricketer forced to retire with heart condition hopes to land role in the game

James Taylor realises he is lucky to be alive and pondering a new career in cricket after being forced into an early retirement with a heart condition.

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Former Shrewsbury School student Taylor, who was part of England's Test series win in South Africa this winter, was found to suffer from arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (AVRC) last month, a diagnosis that immediately ended his playing days.

Instead of starting the county season with Nottinghamshire the 26-year-old underwent surgery to fit an internal defibrillator and two weeks of rehabilitation in hospital, but he was back at Trent Bridge yesterday to take in his former team's match against Yorkshire.

He spoke of his relief at surviving what could easily have been a fatality had his condition continued to go undetected, and said he was already considering how he might remain in the sport.

"I'm lucky to be here, that's the positive in this situation – that I've managed to battle through what actually went on," he said.

"Obviously, at the forefront of my head is that I can't do what I love to do ever again, which is sad but it's a fact, I know that I'm not physically able to do that.

"I've got a massive passion for cricket and a burning desire to always be involved in cricket.

"Obviously I can't play but in some capacity I'd love to stay in cricket, whatever role that may be."

Taylor also offered heartfelt thanks to those who had supported him through the traumatic episode.

"Obviously when I was told I would never play cricket or exercise again, I was in hysterics," he said.

"But the reaction and outpour of emotion towards me as a person has made it so much better and it is priceless."

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