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Taylor 'honoured' by award
James Taylor was thrilled to cap a memorable season by winning the NatWest PCA Young Player of the Year award.
The 19-year-old Leicestershire batsman took Division Two of the LV= County Championship by storm, amassing 1,184 runs at an average of 66.
Taylor beat the likes of Ashes hero Stuart Broad, England leg-spinner Adil Rashid and Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman Craig Kieswetter to the prize at last night’s ceremony at Billingsgate in the City of London.
It added to Taylor’s collection of honours, including the Wisden Schools’ Cricketer of the Year in 2008 and the 2009 Cricket Writers’ Club Young Cricketer of the Year.
“It's a great honour, especially to be voted by my peers and the players I play against. A great end to the season really,” Taylor told ecb.co.uk.
Taylor’s 2009 haul included three hundreds and six fifties in the championship, plus a century in the Friends Provident Trophy and 95 in the NatWest Pro40.
The first of those tons was also his maiden first-class hundred, an unbeaten 122 that rescued a draw against Middlesex.
However, he eclipsed that against Surrey at the Brit Oval with 207 not out in a high-scoring draw.
“I think my major highlight of the year was scoring that 200 at the Oval - that was very special,” the former England Under-19 international added.
“But I think probably as well, my maiden first-class century was also a big one. It was good to get the first one under my belt.”
The diminutive right-hander joined Leicestershire two years ago, at the beginning of his final year at Shrewsbury School.
He had played for Worcestershire Second XI that summer but has no regrets about becoming a Leicestershire player, regardless of his former county’s plight.
Taylor drives en route to an unbeaten 207 agaisnt Surrey at the Brit Oval, one of three championship centuries this season
“Leicestershire gave me a great opportunity to play first-class cricket; I wouldn’t be where I am today without them really,” he enthused.
“They have backed me and been great. I have got two years left on my contract and I’m just looking forward to the next game, not anything beyond that.”
Taylor’s 2009 form has seen his name has been bandied about for inclusion in the England Performance Programme squad, which will be announced next week.
He is in no hurry to graduate to senior international level but knows what it will take to get there.
“I think if I work as hard as I can in the winter, and show the selectors what I can do, then hopefully they will put me forward,” he said.
Despite being one of Leicestershire’s best performers this season, Taylor was nonetheless disappointed they finished bottom of Division Two in the championship.
However, he feels they have a good squad and remains optimistic for the future.
“I’m looking to work harder this winter and then push on and work hard at Leicestershire, then hopefully a even better season next year.
“We have got a young squad at Leicestershire, but everybody is gaining experience with each game. We are so mixed with youth and experience, and I think at Leicester we have good potential.
“Hopefully we can have a better season next year with the bat and ball.”
Official site of the England and Wales Cricket Board
