James Taylor named in England squad for second South Africa Test

James Taylor has moved up the England ranks, from Under-19 level to the captaincy of the Lions, for whom he averages 61.60 in 10 matches. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images

James Taylor, the diminutive son of a National Hunt jockey, has been handed the big task of helping rescue England's series after their crushing innings-defeat against South Africa at The Oval.

Taylor has replaced Ravi Bopara ? who has withdrawn for personal reasons ? in an otherwise unchanged 13-man England squad for the second Test, which starts at Headingley on Thursday. This is despite the fact that Taylor has had difficulty adapting to life in division one with Nottinghamshire this season, having moved up from Leicestershire of division two.

But these days current form with a county is less important than it once was, and the 22-year-old Taylor was identified as a batsman of immense promise by the England management structure some years ago.

He also has a successful habit of being able to step up a level, as befits the shortest man on the county circuit (in the official books he is either 5ft 7in or 5ft 6in but that exaggerates his true height by two or three inches).

He played minor county cricket for Shropshire before moving to Leicestershire in 2008 and has also moved up the England ranks, from Under-19 level to the captaincy of the Lions, for whom he averages 61.60 from 10 matches.

His century in the current championship match against Sussex at Trent Bridge, as well as other recent contributions, suggest that he is adapting to life in division one, which is just as well because he would be up against arguably the strongest attack in world cricket at Headingley.

The Notts director of cricket, Mick Newell, said: "On his own admission he had some difficulties against a higher standard of attack at the start of the season. But conditions for batting were difficult for everyone, and no one really got any runs, apart from Michael Lumb and Nick Compton.

"He has started to put together big scores in the championship and he has shown glimpses of excellence in one-day cricket [he has made 345 runs at 69 in the CB40].

"He is a good technical cricketer, he knows how to occupy the crease against quality bowlers and I have seen improvement in his game this season. He is a very strong back-foot player and he works very hard on his game."

The man himself is relishing the challenge. Taylor said: "I've always backed myself to play at the highest level and even though I'm young I've played a lot of cricket and I've got a lot of runs behind me.

"The next goal is to get a place in the XI and if I get that opportunity I have to take it with both hands. I've always tried to keep my feet on the ground and strive to become a better player and that will always be my mantra."

Taylor must have strong hopes of playing. Even though England's bowlers looked in need of reinforcement at The Oval they have proved themselves over the past couple of years and the coach, Andy Flower, appears to be ideologically wedded to the notion of fielding a four-man attack.

If Taylor does take his chance Bopara, whose problems are understood to have nothing to do with cricket, will be left to wring his hands. Although the jury is very much out on his future as a Test cricketer, England were expected to play him for the remainder of the series so they could finally make a judgment on him.

Taylor's selection is also a reminder to Eoin Morgan and Jonny Bairstow that there is still work for them to do. The national selector, Geoff Miller, said: "We were outplayed during the first Test last week but it is important that this squad regroups and focuses on preparing for the second Test."

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/29/james-taylor-england-south-africa

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