Retired England batsman James Taylor feared he was about to die
Retired England batsman James Taylor admits he feared his life was on the line when a previously undetected heart condition reared its head and prompted a brush with death.
Taylor was forced to retire from cricket last month aged just 26 after being diagnosed with a condition known as Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC).
The symptoms struck without warning on 6 April as Taylor was conducting a routine warm-up ahead of the second day’s play of Nottinghamshire’s pre-season clash against Cambridge University at Fenner’s.
“It was about four degrees, really cold, and I knew something was wrong when sweat from my head was pounding the floor,” said Taylor. “I was wet through. My chest started to tighten up, my throat started to tighten up and I couldn’t breathe.
“That was when I thought I was going to die.”
Taylor was put on oxygen although it was another five hours before he was admitted to hospital, at which stage his heart rate was clocked at 265 beats per minute.
The former Leicestershire batsman remained in hospital for 16 days while the ordeal meant a premature end to his career. Taylor looked assured of a spot in England’s Test side this summer, while his overall List A [one-day] batting average was the fourth best of all time.
“I think that’s been the hardest bit,” added Taylor. “When the doctor told me, I was in hysterics at first.
“But then he told me that the majority of these cases are only found out in the post-mortem. I almost stopped crying at that point and felt more lucky that I’m in a position to tell this story now.”