Taylor added to Performance Squad

James Taylor, the Nottinghamshire batsman, has been added to England's Performance Squad after being left out of the initial 26-man selection.

Taylor captained the Lions over the winter and despite apparently missing out on the 2012 EPS he led the side against the touring West Indians at Northampton, in the build up to the first Test, scoring a hundred from the middle order. The selectors are able to name up to 30 players and make additions at any point in the season, giving a clear indication of who is in their plans.

"James is a talented young player and we feel that his performances this season, including an impressive innings for England Lions last week, merit inclusion in the England Performance Squad," Geoff Miller, the national selector, said. "The EPS is designed to allow the selectors to monitor the development of international players and better prepare them for the demands of the international game."

Taylor, who has played in one ODI for England, moved from Leicestershire to Nottinghamshire over the winter but, despite making a hundred against Loughborough in his first appearance, he is yet to set Division One alight, with 225 Championship runs at 28.12 and a highest score of 46.