“I’m desperate to get back in the Test side”
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Just days after scoring his maiden ODI century, England batsman James Taylor has revealed that he is eager to be recalled into the Test squad for the national team’s upcoming tour of the United Arab Emirates, where they will play Pakistan.
Taylor looked in a class of his own during the third ODI against Australia in Manchester and, with the pitch at Old Trafford expected to be similar to those prepared in the United Arab Emirates, Taylor is hoping that his career-best knock of 101 will help revive his Test career, which has been dormant since the three-Test series against South Africa in July-August 2012.
“I’m desperate to get back in the Test side,” Taylor said. “I know we are going to be playing on similar wickets against good spin bowlers in the UAE, so this was nice little reminder of what I have to offer on a turning pitch where it wasn’t easy to score off the slower bowlers.”
In regards to his ODI career, Taylor knows that he was called up as a replacement for fellow batsman Joe Root, who was rested after a highly successful Ashes series, which saw him score 460 runs, which included two centuries and two fifties, at a brilliant average of 57.50.
Despite scoring his maiden ODI century in the most recent ODI against Australia, Taylor acknowledged that his spot in the ODI squad is still under threat. However, he feels that he can be a useful asset if the national selectors allow him to continue batting at number three or in a finishing role lower down the order.
“I’m a versatile player and I’m willing to bat anywhere in the team,” he said. “I love batting at three and four and I’m glad I got the opportunity. The higher I bat in the order the bigger the runs I can potentially score.
“I’ve got so much better over the years at playing the situation. I think that is my biggest strength: adapting to the situation put in front of me.
“We have seen in the innings at Hampshire that I can hit the ball over the ropes when I’ve needed to. But in Manchester I didn’t need to go too hard too early and just sat back and let Eoin Morgan hit the fours and sixes.”