James Taylor: England & Nottinghamshire batsman forced to retire

Teammates Pay Heartfelt Tribute to James Taylor

"It is an immensely sad day. We couldn't believe it when we were told this morning," experienced batsman Ian Bell said of Taylor's retirement who hung up his boots because of a serious heart condition. (Getty Images)

James Taylor's England teammates reacted with sadness after the diminutive batsman was forced to retire on Tuesday at the age of 26 because of a heart condition.

"It is an immensely sad day. We couldn't believe it when we were told this morning," experienced batsman Ian Bell said.

"Thoughts are with 'Titch' and for a speedy recovery. He is one of the top blokes in English cricket. It is shocking news."

The 1.65m-tall (5'5") Taylor, who plays county cricket for Nottinghamshire, withdrew from last week's game against Cambridge MCCU with what was believed to be a viral infection.
However, scans showed he had a serious heart condition known as Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Arrhythmia (ARVC).

Middle-order batsman Taylor played seven Test matches and 27 One-day internationals for England and captained the side against Ireland in May last year.

England pace bowler Stuart Broad, a county colleague of Taylor's, described his early retirement as 'cruel news'.

"Gutted for @jamestaylor20," Broad wrote on his Twitter account. "He's one of the strongest guys I know with a brilliant family around him."

Jason Roy, one of the standout performers as England reached the final of the World Twenty20 in India earlier this month, called it 'heartbreaking news'.

"(He is) a seriously talented and hard-working man. Stay strong my buddy, everyone's with you," Roy tweeted.

Retired England spinner Graeme Swann also said Taylor was 'one of the good guys'.

"Devastated for my mate @jamestaylor20," Swann tweeted. "No one has ever worked harder to achieve his dreams."

Former England captains Michael Vaughan and Geoff Boycott also sent Taylor their good wishes.

"Gutted...@jamestaylor20 is one of the great people of our great game." tweeted Vaughan. "The cricket family will make sure we support his every need."

Boycott said: "I'm sad to hear the news about @jamestaylor20. I admired your talent and wish you well for your operation and moving forward." 

James Taylor: England & Nottinghamshire batsman forced to retire

England and Nottinghamshire batsman James Taylor has been forced to retire because of a serious heart condition.

Scans have shown that Taylor, 26, has a condition similar to the one which affected footballer Fabrice Muamba.

Taylor, who has played seven Tests and 27 one-day internationals for his country, posted on social media: "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!"

Taylor felt ill during the first day of his county's pre-season fixture against Cambridge MCCU last week and was taken to hospital.

James Taylor posted on social media shortly after news of his retirement was announced

It was initially thought he had a viral condition, but he has since been diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and needs an operation.
Taylor later posted on Facebook: "Absolutely overwhelmed with all the support I've received. You don't understand how much it means to me and how much it helps! Thank you!"
England team director Andrew Strauss spoke about his "shock" and "sadness" at the news.
"Throughout his career, he has constantly impressed with his determination to make the absolute most of his ability," said Strauss.
"It is immensely cruel that such a hard-working player will be unable to fulfil his great potential in the international arena."

James Taylor responded to encouragement from Fabrice Muamba

Footballer Muamba collapsed when his heart stopped for 78 minutes while playing for Bolton Wanderers against Tottenham Hotspur in 2012.
He has since retired from the game.

iWonder guide: Who saved Fabrice Muamba's life?

What are symptoms of ARVC?

• Palpitations
• Light-headedness
• Fainting
• Breathlessness
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Swollen ankles or legs
• Swelling in the abdomen
• Risk of sudden death on exertion
• Up to one in a thousand people are estimated to have a faulty gene which can lead to the condition
• Difficult to diagnose - can be picked up via an ECG or heart MRI scan

Source: British Heart Foundation

What is ARVC?

Professor of clinical cardiology Sanjay Sharma is also the consultant cardiologist for the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) sports cardiology clinic, as well as the medical director for London Marathon.
He explained the condition to BBC Radio 5 live:

• Part of the heart replaced by scar and fatty tissue causing rapid and abnormal heart rhythm which can cause a sudden cardiac death
• Genetic condition, but may not show until adolescence or even young adulthood
• Associated with a six-fold increase in sudden death among people who exercise - compared with those who don't
• Not curable, but manageable with procedures and medication
• Sudden death is the first presentation of ARVC in the majority of young sportsmen who have the condition
• But many people with the condition never develop any serious problems

Could Taylor continue in cricket?

Professor Sharma, who is also cardiologist for the English Institute of Sport, British Rugby League and the British Lawn Tennis Association, said Taylor could still coach cricket and participate in "recreational exercise", such as cycling, gentle jogging and swimming.
"Usually the most difficult bit is for a sportsman to accept they may have to hang up their cricket bat or their football boots," said Professor Sharma. "That's a very tough blow for someone as young as he is.
"He can carry on a normal lifestyle. There's no reason why he won't finish off having a normal lifespan if he's careful about how much exercise he does."

• Listen - "All top sportsmen should be tested at a minimum of every two years"

Following Monday's announcement, Taylor later thanked people for their support on social media

Cricket reacts to Taylor's retirement

Mick Newell, England selector and Nottinghamshire director of cricket: "James has been a smart, intelligent batsman, who wins games. He's a big loss to England and Nottinghamshire, and a big loss to the game.
"His county stats are very impressive for Leicestershire and Notts - and some thought he should have played for England sooner.
"But he waited and worked hard. He never slackened off in his desire and took his chance when it came. He would have played a lot of cricket for England.
"He made the most of every ounce of his talent. He's understandably devastated but grateful it was spotted. People will miss him. He's a lovely kid."

Mullaney 'numb' at Taylor retirement

Nottinghamshire all-rounder Steven Mullaney, Taylor's former team-mate and room-mate: "We are numb, shocked and gutted but we are delighted he is still with us because it could have been a hell of a lot worse.
"He had the world at his feet, but it's been taken away from him. But we will give him our full support.
"This time last week he was batting at Cambridge and the day after he was in hospital. It is a shock and it is quite hard to get words out.
"I saw him last week before the news and he was full of beans. I'm looking forward to seeing him again and giving him a big hug."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan was full of praise for Taylor as a person as well as a cricketer

Warwickshire captain and former England team-mate Ian Bell: "It is an immensely sad day. We couldn't believe it when we were told this morning. Thoughts are with Titch and with a speedy recovery.
"He is one of the top blokes in English cricket and I know Chris Woakes is very close and really upset. It is shocking news."

Former England batsman Alec Stewart: "The last thing you want to see is someone's career coming to an end - whether players are released or retire - but when you see that at the age of just 26, it's so cruel.
"His international career had just kicked on. He'd played nicely in Test match cricket and I firmly believed he'd end up playing all forms of the game consistently for England.
"But now we'll be talking about him in the past tense as an England cricketer, instead of someone who had a very bright future ahead of him.
"His playing career is over, sadly, but he's got so much to offer - you can see him coaching, he's good with the media and it's genuine."

Former Yorkshire and England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott

England batting coach Mark Ramprakash: "I'm shocked and so disappointed because it was such a pleasure to work with him.
"He was absolutely set to become a fixture in the England one-day and Test sides. His skills were so good against pace and spin.
"Once he is over this, his work ethic and personality is such that whatever he turns his hand to he will be very successful."

England and Notts team-mate Stuart Broad was quick to respond to the news on Twitter

Jonathan Agnew, BBC cricket correspondent: "It's easy to take a step back and be detached and say 'thank goodness he's been diagnosed' and there isn't a terrible tragedy for the Taylor family here to cope with.
"He'll obviously be desperately disappointed but the bigger picture has to be that it's a serious condition and hopefully it can be treated and he'll live a normal life.
"But when you're a sportsman, you're 26 with the world at your feet, and you want to play at the start of a new season - clearly it's devastating for him.
"He's a very cheerful, upbeat character - a model pro, hard-working, a real fighter.
"Short batsmen are notoriously difficult to bowl at. James was very strong off the back foot - a good cutter, good puller, but most of all had a fighting instinct. That's the way he played his cricket and I'm sure that's the way he'll cope with this.
"He's made for coaching. He's the sort of person you want in your dressing room and I'm sure he's still got lots to put into the game."

Harry Gurney played with Taylor at Leicestershire from the age of eight

Professional Cricketers' Association statement: "The news has come as a great shock. Our thoughts are with James as he comes to terms with the end of his cricket career at such a young age and at a time when he had established himself as an international cricketer.
"We have a six-strong team of personal development managers who work across the 18 first-class counties to help players plan and prepare for life after cricket and we will offer James all the help we can to ensure that the transition to a new career is as smooth as possible."

England one-day opener Jason Roy was one of many players to offer their support using the hashtag #cricketfamily

England selector, former international cricketer Angus Fraser: "Every county - since the Fabrice Muamba situation - has been more aware of heart issues, and the testing that takes place is very strict.
"To see something like this not picked up, through no one's fault, makes you realise how vulnerable you are at the highest level whenever you are pushed to extremities."

Former Leicestershire cricketer Charles Dagnall said Taylor - nicknamed Titch for his 5ft6in height - "went through so much" to have his cricketing talents recognised

BBC Test Match Special commentator Charles Dagnall: "I feel this will rock his world. Batting was his life and has been since an early age. It is easy to talk about someone who is 40 and retired and had a great Test career, but he's retired at 26 and had so much more to look forward to.
"He's unorthodox and his height was an issue in some people's eyes, but he overcome it.
"Years ago, I had a conversation with an England selector, who will remain nameless. He asked me to tell him about James Taylor. I said he is ready for international cricket, but he said he cannot hit the ball straight. I replied that is not the way he plays. He plays in a completely different way. He makes the game work for him in his own manner.
"England saw him as a potential one-day international captain, not just a talent with bat, but able to flourish in Trevor Bayliss' international system."

Ex-Notts player Graeme Swann said Taylor has had to fight "a lot of prejudice" over his height

• Listen - BBC Radio 5 live In Short: 'Taylor was the fittest England cricketer' - Graeme Swann

A career cut short

Taylor, the son of former professional jockey Steve, made his first-class debut for Leicestershire against Worcestershire in April 2008 and joined Nottinghamshire before the 2012 season.
The Nottingham-born batsman played the first of his seven Test matches for England against South Africa at Headingley in 2012. He averaged 26 and his top Test score was 76 against Pakistan in November 2015.
Taylor's one-day international debut came in 2011 against Ireland. He averaged 42.23 in 27 ODIs, scoring seven fifties and one century - 101 against Australia in September 2015.
At the time of his retirement, Taylor had the fourth-highest limited-overs average - including international and domestic matches - in history...

What is the current screening regime in cricket?

• The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) screens all players under the age of 20, and again around the age of 23 or 24 as AVRC can show up later in life
• Players with any abnormalities would be the subject of more regular screening
• ECB started screening in 2008 and already has plans to review its screening process