James Taylor targets England recall
James Taylor was today targeting a return to the England side as he looked to turn out for Shrewsbury hot on the heels of tonight's T20 Blast launch.
The Outlaws host Lancashire Lightning in the opening T20 Blast game of the season with Taylor hopeful of a quick turnaround to play again tomorrow.
Former Shrewsbury School pupil Taylor will skipper Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge and has also declared himself available to face Berkswell in the Birmingham League.
But he is also eyeing a comeback with England this season should he impress for his county.
"As captain, I have got to be thinking first and foremost about the team and trying to win as many games as I can in T20blast," he said.
"If my personal performance improves and I get in contention for a Test place, then so be it, but first and foremost I have got to think about winning for the team."
The 24-year-old has held talks with returning England coach Peter Moores after missing out on one-day selection last month. He has made two Test and two ODI appearances for England both against Ireland, in 2011 and 2013
He said: "I had some good chats with him (Moores), a couple of weeks ago at Loughborough and I'm close with the selectors as well.
"I've spoken to them a bit and it's all pretty positive so we'll just see what happens.
Tonight's game will come too soon for Andrew Flintoff's surprise return to cricket though.
He was scheduled to play for Lancashire Second XI in a match against Cheshire at Sale yesterday but pulled out to allow an ankle injury more time to heal.
He will not play in Lancashire's first two Twenty20 Blast matches – tonight and against Worcestershire tomorrow – but talks over a possible role as a player, coach and mentor are at an advanced stage.
