South Africa vs England: James Taylor keen to seize England’s middle ground

Given that he is one of the most consistent run-scorers in English cricket, it is hard to fathom why England have appeared reluctant to trust in James Taylor. That, though, could be about to change.

Taylor flew home from the UAE last week with an A+ on his report card after coming through one of world cricket’s most exacting examinations with flying colours. He came into the England side for the final Test and scored a masterful 76 in testing conditions in Sharjah. He then averaged 74 as England beat Pakistan 3-1 in the one-day series that followed.

Suddenly, more than three years since making his Test debut as a 22-year-old in the summer of 2012, the diminutive Nottinghamshire right-hander looks certain to assume a central role for England both in the Test series against South Africa and, potentially, for years to come.

The dropping of Ian Bell has handed Taylor an opportunity that has appeared out of his reach since his two-Test cameo in Olympic year. A series defeat by South Africa, the resignation of Andrew Strauss as captain and some ill-timed text messages from Kevin Pietersen – who made it abundantly clear he thought Taylor wasn’t up to the job – meant that in the three years that followed he was in danger of becoming yesterday’s man.

“A month in county cricket is a long time, so much can happen, so three years is an age,” Taylor said last week, shortly after his return. “I think getting those knock-backs I had can really work in one of two ways. You can either take it as a massive setback and let it get you down, or you can just be as positive as possible, which is what I did.

“Yes, it was frustrating, but it makes you work just that bit harder knowing how good it is playing for England in a Test shirt.”

Taylor stands just 5ft 6in, and for years questions have been asked about whether his lack of height works against him at the highest level. The man himself straight-batted those doubts the only way he could. By scoring runs.

Since 2010, Taylor has scored 1,385 of them at an average of 60 for the Lions, effectively England’s Second XI, and in the final five Championship matches of last season he scored 555 runs. Throw in a maiden one-day international hundred against Australia at Old Trafford in early September and it’s clear to see why an England side still desperately searching for middle-order solidity could not ignore him any longer.

His re-entry came with England teetering on 97 for 3 on a pitch tailor-made for Pakistan’s spin attack, and his response was doubtless noted by Trevor Bayliss, England’s head coach, who puts a high value on fortitude.

“Although I missed out on the first two Tests, I felt ready the whole way through the tour,” says Taylor. “It was a spin-friendly wicket when I did get to the crease, and slow scoring because of the outfield, but I loved it. I was more excited than nervous. It was just good to be back playing in a Test match for England. It was also a lot easier because I had played quite a lot in the ODI team and scored runs in international cricket.”

Taylor, like Jonny Bairstow – with whom he shared a stand of 89 in Sharjah – knows that Bell’s omission means that there is a place up for grabs in England’s middle order.

“Obviously we haven’t played as much international cricket as Belly,” he says. “He has been phenomenal since he came into the side, it’s a credit to him and his work ethic, the amount of runs that he has scored.

“But I think the boys will relish that opportunity to get into the side and cement their place in it. There’s a gap for someone to fill and it’s up to the guys to put their hands up.

“Trevor and [assistant coach] Paul Farbrace have been brilliant. It’s a great atmosphere, a great environment to be around. The boys are really thriving in it. It’s a very positive, relaxed dressing room and it’s really left up to the individual to take responsibility, which is how you want it. They’ve been great to work with, both of them.”

A common complaint of previous regimes is that the players were not allowed to think for themselves or move without a laptop full of figures being thrust in their face. That criticism has probably been overplayed, but there is no doubt that this England side are doing something that previous sides of recent vintage did not – they are playing cricket with a smile on their faces.

“We’ve got a really exciting squad again,” says Taylor. “It has been brilliant, it’s the most I’ve enjoyed playing cricket. Obviously representing your country is a big factor, but enjoying the company of your team-mates, and enjoying each other’s success, is a huge thing.”

So can the man known as “Titch” finally put to bed the continual jibes about his size counting against him in the international game?

“It’s just one of those things, you’ve got to crack on with it,” he says. “It is what it is – it’s not like I’ve suddenly become short overnight, I’ve had it all my life. You have to be able to laugh at yourself.”