When James Taylor strode out to make his England Test debut on the 3rd of August 2012 at Headingley, many analysts proclaimed the future (along with Joe Root) had arrived at the crease.

The minute Taylor made his first Test appearance aged 23, striding out to face a South African team that all but defined the term “baptism of fire”. Grinding out a 153 ball 34, Taylor showed incredible concentration (if not rapid scoring ability) that had the pundits hailing him as a future superstar.

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Coming out of school, Taylor joined Leicestershire County Cricket Club. His maiden first-class century came in 2009 during a game against Middlesex, and the youngster was gaining critical acclaim on the county circuit as possessing a mentality far beyond his years. The One Day game wasn’t out of Taylor’s grasp either, as he showed tremendous timing and stroke selection during his first one-day century against Worcestershire not long after.

Again in 2009, he broke the record for the youngest Leicestershire player to score a double century against Surrey, knocking up 209 not out during a seven hour stay at the crease. To say 2009 was a breakout for Taylor would be an injustice to the man. Claiming young player of the year awards from multiple organisations ahead of all-rounder Stuart Broad was testament to Taylor’s quick development.

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This storming form continued through the next two seasons, and at the conclusion of the 2011 season it was announced that Taylor had put pen to paper on a three year deal with Nottinghamshire. Whilst the move did instigate a brief downturn in form for the batsman, it did help to launch his England career (article about England team selection Division One bias pending).

Following a string of great performances for Nottinghamshire, the international came back into the England fold in 2014 on the one day international scene, where some brilliant match-winning performances cemented the prodigy’s spot in the batting order.

After touring South Africa with the test team over the winter of 2015/16, a series of disappointing scores had resulted in some calling for the right-hander to be dropped, but the faith was kept in him by captain Alastair Cook and the immediate future seemed bright for Taylor.

And then, cruelly, came the announcement that Taylor had been forced into retirement at just the age of 26.

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So, in the end Taylor had been dismissed from cricket by Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Arrhythmia. As we watch the prospect ride off over the horizon, it’s easy to be disappointed and restless about what some may feel was a wasted talent.

I’d appeal to the rational instinct in all of us, when I make the case for this goodbye being far easier than a goodbye we may have found totally heart-breaking. Whilst his cricketing dreams have been given the raised finger, James Taylor’s capacity for greatness has not. A deeply intelligent and articulate man, his next direction is bound to see him attack his challenges and goals with the same fearless effort he did with cricket.

So farewell, James Taylor. But, if I had to make an educated guess, I’d argue he’s only just started.