'Life's too short to be too tall'
James Taylor talks about riding horses, smashing an unbeaten 220 when he was 15, and captaining England Lions
Interview by Jack Wilson
19-Jul-2014
"It's up to me to score runs now" • Getty Images
Assess your England career to now.
Too short, definitely too short.
Too short, definitely too short.
Where do you think you stand at the minute?
I'd like to think I'm there or thereabouts and close to playing for England again. But it's up to me to score runs now, as they've told me. Fingers crossed I'll get the nod again.
I'd like to think I'm there or thereabouts and close to playing for England again. But it's up to me to score runs now, as they've told me. Fingers crossed I'll get the nod again.
Where is your first England Test shirt?
Hanging up in my wardrobe. It's got a nice rip down the bottom when I dived in and nearly got run out by Hashim Amla.
Hanging up in my wardrobe. It's got a nice rip down the bottom when I dived in and nearly got run out by Hashim Amla.
Your dad Phil was a jockey. Were you ever close to following in his footsteps?
He was indeed. I always rode until I was 18. I'm from a horsey family.
He was indeed. I always rode until I was 18. I'm from a horsey family.
When did you last ride?
When I was 18, probably. I had to stop when cricket got serious.
When I was 18, probably. I had to stop when cricket got serious.
What is the best innings you've ever played?
When I was 15, I got 220 not out to win the game when we needed 12 an over for the last 15 overs. It was a national final at Trent Bridge and we won the game. We needed six off the last two balls and I hit a six.
When I was 15, I got 220 not out to win the game when we needed 12 an over for the last 15 overs. It was a national final at Trent Bridge and we won the game. We needed six off the last two balls and I hit a six.
You have captained England Lions. What do you most enjoy about captaincy?
Doing things my way and leading from the front.
Doing things my way and leading from the front.
Who is the most naturally talented player on the circuit?
Jos Buttler.
Jos Buttler.
Who is your favourite cricket commentator?
All the English guys are quite good, so I can't hammer them. The young Aussie guys are quite funny. I've been in Australia all winter listening to them. In the Big Bash, Andrew Symonds and Mark Waugh are good.
All the English guys are quite good, so I can't hammer them. The young Aussie guys are quite funny. I've been in Australia all winter listening to them. In the Big Bash, Andrew Symonds and Mark Waugh are good.
Which Nottinghamshire player has the strangest superstition?
Samit Patel has a ridiculous obsession with taping his brand new bats to look like he's used them. At least I think that's why he does it. He puts ridiculously thick tape on them.
Samit Patel has a ridiculous obsession with taping his brand new bats to look like he's used them. At least I think that's why he does it. He puts ridiculously thick tape on them.
Who is the toughest bowler you have faced?
I want to say Glen Chapple. He's a pain in the arse.
I want to say Glen Chapple. He's a pain in the arse.
Would you rather have a cat that barks or a dog that meows?
I reckon a cat that barks would be quite cool.
I reckon a cat that barks would be quite cool.
Custard creams or bourbon biscuits?
Custard creams, definitely.
Custard creams, definitely.
What would a book about your life be called?
Life is too short to be tall.
Life is too short to be tall.
What is the best ground to play cricket at in the world?
Trent Bridge.
Trent Bridge.
Who has the safest hands at Nottinghamshire?
Chris Read because he's got gloves on. Can I say that?
Chris Read because he's got gloves on. Can I say that?
No. Other than Chris Read?
I should say myself. No, I'm going with Luke Fletcher because he's got the biggest hands.
I should say myself. No, I'm going with Luke Fletcher because he's got the biggest hands.
James Taylor was speaking at a NatWest T20 Blast event. Tickets can be purchased from www.ecb.co.uk/natwestt20blast