James Taylor retires: England cricketer diagnosed with serious heart condition and needs immediate surgery

Taylor has been diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy and will undergo heart surgery later this week

Despite his impressive recent form, the signs do not look good for James Taylor (Getty Images)

England cricketer James Taylor has been forced to retire from the sport with immediate effect after being diagnosed with a serious heart condition, with the 26-year-old set to undergo an operation later this week.

A statement released by Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club confirmed that Taylor had been diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy [ARVC], a similar diagnosis to that of Fabrice Muamba after the footballer collapsed while playing for Bolton Wanderers in 2012.

Taylor withdrew from the Nottinghamshire squad that faced Cambridge MCCU last week with what was thought to be a viral condition, but it has since been revealed to be ARVC.

James Taylor’s impressed on the tour of South Africa (Getty) (Getty Images)

Taylor took to Twitter to send a message to his followers that he will “battle on” after the diagnosis, while England team director, Andrew Strauss, promised that the ECB will help Taylor through the surgery and his recovery period.

“Safe to say this has been the toughest week of my life! My world is upside down. But I'm here to stay and I'm battling on! #lifestooshort,” Taylor posted on Tuesday morning.

A Nottinghamshire statement read: “Nottinghamshire & England batsman James Taylor’s career has been sadly brought to an end by a serious heart condition.

“Taylor originally withdrew from last week’s fixture against Cambridge MCCU with what was believed to be a viral condition.

“However, specialist scans revealed yesterday that the 26-year-old has the very serious heart condition, ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy).

“Taylor’s diagnosis is similar to that of former footballer Fabrice Muamba following his collapse on the field in 2012. He requires an operation, which will take place in the coming days.”

James Taylor's England career

7 - Number of Test appearances

27 - Number of ODI appearances

1,199 - Runs for England in all formats

1 - Number of centuries (against Australia, September 2015)

14 - Number of catches in all formats

42.23 - ODI batting average

26 - Test batting average

101 - ODI high score

76 - Test high score

Nottinghamshire director of cricket, Mick Newell, admitted that the sudden news came as a “big shock” and was saddened to see the talented batsman retire prematurely, and said that he looked forward to seeing Taylor back at Nottinghamshire’s Trent Bridge when he has recovered from his operation.

“I and all of James’ teammates & colleagues are terribly sad to hear this news, which comes as a big shock to us all,” said Newell.

“He is a model professional, the most hard working I’ve ever known in cricket, making it all the more difficult to accept that his career has been cut short in this way.

“It goes without saying that he has the very best wishes of us all in terms of recovering from his operation, and that we are looking forward to seeing him back at Trent Bridge when he is fit and able.”

Taylor’s only hundred came off 114 balls against Australia (PA)

Strauss added that the diagnosis was “immensely cruel” for a player who will now be unable to fulfil his potential on the biggest stages in cricket.

"It is both shocking and saddening to hear that James' career has been cut short in such a sudden and unexpected manner,” said former England captain Strauss.

“Throughout his career, he has constantly impressed with his determination to make the absolute most of his ability, and it is immensely cruel that such a hard working player will be unable to fulfil his great potential in the international arena.

“The ECB will work closely with Nottinghamshire and together we will do everything possible to help James through this difficult period, and aid him in his recovery."

Taylor played in seven Tests and 27 One Day Internationals for England, with his highest score being the one and only century he scored on the international scene as he hit 101 against Australia last September, and he last played in England’s Test series victory over South Africa in January.