Published: Apr 15, 2016, 08:34 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 15, 2016, 08:34 PM (IST)
England’s Test pacer Steven Finn expressed his views on James Taylor’s sudden retirement while attending at event of Waitrose, proud sponsors of England cricket team. The fast bowler mentioned how lucky former team mates are with the news of sudden retirement of Taylor. Taylor has so far played 34 times in Test and one-dayers. Finn and Taylor have been playing together since Under-19 days and while in conversation with Finn, he mentioned, “I texted him a couple of times and said, ‘I’m thinking of you mate. I’m so sorry about what’s happened but I’m glad you’re alive, I’m glad you’re still with us.” READ: Alastair Cook expresses shock at forced retirement of James Taylor
He further added, “It could happen to anyone. James is a friend. We’re so blasé about playing cricket and taking for granted what we have, so this makes you realise cricket is just a game, without getting too high and mighty. We play a game that people enjoy watching and we’re very lucky to do that. I think he was 17 and I was 18 when we played together in the Under-19 World Cup and we’ve played together intermittently since then, for the Lions and the full side. We grew through the ranks together.” READ: James Taylor was on the brink of becoming ‘a fantastic England player,’ says Nasser Hussain
“I was told by [Middlesex team-mate] James Franklin in the team hotel and I was shocked, because James is one of the healthiest guys I know. You look at the fitness work he does, how well he looks after himself, what he eats. He is one of the most dedicated professionals and one of the hardest working.” During the last routine screening undertaken by all England players at ECB’s Loughborough complex last week, Finn was also present for the same, as reported on standard.co.uk. He conceded, “I had my heart screened and I was told it was completely normal. Everyone is tested every year or 18 months at least, so as much as possible is done to pick up these things. It’s just incredibly sad that this condition has cut short a promising career but thankfully it was picked it up because things could have been a lot worse.”
