Chris Taylor eyes a better season with Yorkshire CCC after injury-hit return year (From York Press)

Chris Taylor eyes a better season with Yorkshire CCC after injury-hit return year

9:11am Thursday 16th April 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Batsman Chris Taylor believes his move from Derbyshire back to Yorkshire has not been a successful one – but is looking to put that right this summer.

The 28-year-old from Leeds decided to ignore the old adage that suggests people should “never go back”, returning to Headingley last winter after two seasons with the Division Two county.

But, when asked whether the move had worked out the way he planned, he replied in the negative.

“I would say no because I spent four months of last year injured,” he said.

“I am going to start this year as if it is my first year back from Derbyshire.

“I am taking this as a fresh start because I couldn’t get a run at things last year.

“I tore my hamstring, which meant I was out for six weeks. I came back for two weeks, but tore it again. Then I played for about six weeks and tore my calf badly to finish my season early.

“It was a bit of a disastrous season. Results show me as one of the fittest in the squad, I have never had injuries before, and I will just have to take it as a freak year.”

Taylor played just four Championship, two Pro40 and two Twenty20 Cup fixtures last season, the highlight of which being a six off the final ball to win the North Division 20-over match at Leicestershire.

As a consequence of his lack of action, he is preparing to start 2009 in the second team.

“It is something that I am expecting to happen as a worst case scenario,” Taylor said.

“But if I was to start in the first team, it would be a big bonus for me.

“If the selection doesn’t go the way that I hope it does to start with, I am quite happy to go back in the seconds and stack up a load of runs to force my way in that way.

“I think the competition for places is so high here. We have got such a strong squad, that if I am in the seconds to start with I am not going to be too disappointed.

“We have got seven top-order batsmen who have all played a lot of first-class cricket competing for five places.

“It is very healthy for the squad, but from a personal point of view I am really going to have to step up this year.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)