The Nottinghamshire and England batsman James Taylor has been forced to retire from all cricket after it was discovered that he has a serious heart condition.
Taylor had to withdraw from Notts’ fixture against Cambridge University last week with what was believed to be a viral condition, but the club said on Tuesday that scans had revealed that the 26-year-old has ARVC (arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy).
The club said in a tweet: “We’re truly saddened to announce James Taylor has been forced to retire through illness.”
Taylor responded by tweeting: “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!”
The 26-year-old’s condition is said to be similar to that of the former footballer Fabrice Muamba who collapsed on the field in 2012. He requires an operation, which will take place in the coming days.
“Myself and all of James’ team-mates and colleagues are terribly sad to hear this news, which comes as a big shock to us all,” Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket, Mick Newell, told their website. “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.”
The England team director, Andrew Strauss, added: “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.
“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.”
“We ask that the privacy of James is respected as he comes to terms with the situation and focuses on his recovery.”
Taylor has played seven Tests, making his debut against South Africa at Headingley in 2012, with a highest score of 76, against Pakistan in Sharjah in November last year. The first of his 27 one-day internationals was against Ireland in Dublin in August 2011. He averages 42.23 in ODIs, with seven fifties including a 98 not out against Australia in February 2015, plus a top score of 101, also against Australia, at Old Trafford last September.
