Rob Taylor      

Rob Taylor made his debut for Leicestershire's Second XI in May 2008 at the age of 18 but it was three years later when he was pitted against his own county that he began to make himself noticed. He compiled a match-saving unbeaten century as Loughborough MCCU secured a draw in a three-day match at Grace Road, quite a job application. On his first-class debut for Leicestershire against Surrey at Grace Road in August of the same year, he hit 70 in the first innings and took 3 for 53.

A left-handed batsman and left-arm seam bowler, Taylor completed his studies at Loughborough in 2012 and made significant contributions with the ball in both the CB40, in which he was the Foxes' leading wicket-taker with 11 victims, and Friends Life t20, where he had an economy rate of 6.91, as well as taking 5 for 91 against Kent at Grace Road in his only first-class game.

Taylor gained a call-up to Scotland in 2013, on the back of his one-day appearances for Leicestershire. He finished top of the Friends Life t20 bowling averages and also achieved the best strike rate of any Leicestershire batsman who faced more than 50 balls - a jaw-dropping 159.25. He was also the leading wicket-taker in YB40. It all built on the promise shown in 2012 after finishing his studies at Loughborough University.

At the end of the 2012 season, Taylor completed a special journey in aid of Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS). He joined his father Olly, brother Harry and family friend Will Goodwin, on a bike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for SOBS, who provided great support after the family tragically lost their wife and mother, Fee, in 2005.

ESPNcricinfo staff

ESPNcricinfo - February 2013