London: 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.”
