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Taylor forced to retire with heart condition

cricket.com.au
cricket.com.au

Shock as 26-year-old England favourite permanently sidelined by medical condition

England Test batsman James Taylor has been forced to call an immediate end to his career following the discovery of a rare and serious heart condition that will see him undergo surgery.

Taylor had expected to play for Nottinghamshire in last week's County Championship warm-up fixture against Cambridge University but withdrew with what he believed to be a viral condition.

But specialist scans revealed the 26-year-old has Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Arrhythmia (ARVC) - a rare but very serious heart condition.

Taylor took to Twitter to say the shock revelation had been "the toughest week of my life" but was keeping a positive outlook for his recovery.

Taylor played the first of his seven Tests against South Africa in 2012 and was part of the England team that beat the Proteas in South Africa last year.

The diminutive middle-order batsman also played 27 one-day internationals and was captain for England’s trip to Ireland last May.

ARVC is a genetic disease and can cause sudden cardiac death. It is not curable but can be controlled with medicine or the use of a pacemaker.

WATCH: Taylor a star close fielder

England Team Director Andrew Strauss said he was shocked and saddened at Taylor's premature retirement.

“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," Strauss said in a statement released by the ECB.

“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."

WATCH: Taylor hits 82 in WACA ODI v India

Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell said the club was reeling.

“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," Newell said.

“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.”

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