Jerome has eyes back on Windies

SUSSEX pace bowler Jerome Taylor hopes to win a recall from the West Indies.

Taylor originally retired from international cricket in July 2016 having made 46 Test appearances, claiming 130 wickets as well as scoring one century. Despite hanging up those international spikes though, he has now had a change of heart.

Taylor, who is at Hove as replacement for the injured Vernon Philander, said: “I think I might have jumped the gun retiring from international cricket.

“When I sit at home and watch I just want to get back out on the park and play for the West Indies again.

“I want to give back to West Indies cricket. That is what I always wanted to do growing up and hopefully I can do it again.”

Taylor made his Test debut in 2003, with his ODI bow coming in the same year. In 85 ODIs the paceman claimed 126 wickets and he took that talent into his spell with Sussex, taking 3-65 recently against Essex.

And Taylor feels that he has a lot to offer Sussex, adding: “There is a lot of room for improvement and hopefully I can give some very good performances for Sussex while I am here. It is only a couple of weeks but I will try to adapt as quickly as possible.

“I’m loving every minute of it so far and the lads in the dressing room have made it a lot easier for me to settle in. But my body needs to acclimatise to the different temperature over here and the wickets are different.

“It was also a bit strange coming down the hill (at Hove) but after the first three or four overs you know you have to pull yourself up a bit.

“This is home for the next few weeks so I need to get used to it. I’ve been in England before but a long while ago so it is about learning all over again. I am willing to do that and I’m sure it won’t take me long to hit top form.”