James Taylor

Visit of James Taylor, Lunch Meeting Held On Friday 30th January 2026

James Taylor has played cricket at all levels including for Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and for England, both in ODI’s and in Tests.

He made his County Championship debut for Leics. aged18, and two months later he played in his first T20 alongside fellow debutant Sam Cliff in a 7-wicket defeat of Derbyshire.

In 2012 he moved to Nottinghamshire where his career continued to blossom.

He was picked for England to play in the ODI alongside Ben Stokes, and was selected for the England Test squad in 2012.

In 2016, having secured his place at Number 5 in the Test Team after a very successful South Africa tour (where he also demonstrated his brilliant fielding at short leg,) sadly and out of the blue he was diagnosed with a heart condition that ended his career.

After playing, he has been an England selector and now is a coach of the newly promoted Leicestershire side.

James talked about his cricketing career, the early days at school, Worcester’s academy, Leics CCC, Notts CCC,, right up to playing for England. He referred to the players he played with and the coaches who influenced him along the way, his role models and the heroes who inspired him.

He answered our questions with intelligence and insight. We know him as a prodigious talent whose career was cut short, but he spoke to the Society with great humility, honesty and stoicism abou,t his illness whilst retaining a very positive outlook.

His passion for cricket has clearly not diminished. 

Neil Swanwick