By CricketCountry Staff
James Taylor announced shocking international retirement due to a serious heart condition, England Cricket Board (ECB) broke the sad news on Tuesday on social media. “Terrible news @jamestaylor20’s career sadly brought to an end by a serious heart condition We’re all with you Titch,” ECB tweeted.

James Taylor.  Photo by Nicholas Reid

James Taylor. Photo by Nicholas Reid

Taylor who made his England debut in 2011 played 27 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), seven Tests and was yet to make his debut in the Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He played a total of 139 First-Class matches, playing for Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. It’s a huge loss for English cricket as Taylor is as young as 26. He bows out of the game with a ODI ton and seven ODI fifties and was yet to score his maiden hundred in the white jersey.

However, the cricketer seems to be taking the situation sportingly. He said, “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!” That tweet surprisingly contained laughing emoticons.

Taylor pulled out of Nottinghamshire’s pre-season game with Cambridge MCCU last week with an illness. And scans have since revealed the 26-year-old has ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Arrhythmia) – a serious heart condition similar to the one suffered by ex-footballer Fabrice Muamba.

According to dailystar.co.uk, 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,” he said.

The above article is reproduced with permission from cricketcountry.com