England still on Jack’s radar despite issues over his action
JACK Taylor is confident he is at the right county to match his international ambitions after inking a new deal at Gloucestershire.
The 25-year-old enjoyed a breakout summer in 2016 with the bat, averaging over 50 in the T20 Blast and accumulating 860 first-class runs in red-ball cricket.
Other counties were rumoured to be interested in the young all-rounder – who has had his struggles with his bowling action – but Taylor has signed on at Nevil Road through to 2019.
And the off-spin bowler is confident that he is at a county on an upward curve that matches his own.
“Obviously I am very happy to be at Gloucestershire for the next three years at least. I didn’t speak to any other clubs,” he revealed.
“Along with a lot of other guys, we are all signed up, we’ve got a good group and are looking forward to challenging for silverware.
“I was always happy to stay at Glos, I have had success at this club and feel there are a lot of us at the right age to push on this year. I have got ambitions to play international cricket, probably more realistically in the shorter forms.
“If I can back up last year with the bat and contribute a bit more with the ball, I don’t see why I can’t play T20 league cricket around the world and challenge for England selection.”
Taylor was suspended for a second time by the ECB in June of last year for a suspected illegal action – he previously did not bowl for nine months back in 2013 while doing remedial work on his action. But with new head coach Richard Dawson – who helped Taylor as spin coach at Gloucestershire four years ago – the all-rounder is ready to repay the faith shown in him by the county.
“Growing up I always saw myself as an all-rounder, but I knew that I had to put in the performances to warrant that status,” he added.
“I felt I did that with the bat last year. In red-ball cricket I am hoping to bat as high as six this year and even higher than that in the white ball.
“In white-ball cricket everyone plays everyone, we won the 50-over comp two years ago and made the knockout stages in the Blast so we have proved we are a good side. But (suspension) was tough, for it to happen for the second time in my career. It has been a case of sticking to the basics, to keep on top of the things that I can control.
“Last year I was still picked on my batting but I want to be playing every game for the county this year, contributing with bat and ball. I have been working hard with Daws – it’s great to have him around.
“We just need to keep that up – with honest feedback and a lot of hard work.”