Taylor plays down contract snub

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Injury prone West Indies pacer Jerome Taylor says he is looking past the disappointment of losing his central retainer contract, and focusing on regaining his fitness so he can resume his international career.

The 26-year-old, until a year ago the spearhead of the West Indies seam attack, was one of six players dumped by the West Indies Cricket Board from the list of centrally contracted players.

“To be honest they (WICB) have made a decision that I have to respect …,” Taylor said in a television interview here.

“But that issue is over and done with. I am looking forward to whatever is to come, which is to represent Jamaica and to do the West Indies and my family proud.”

Taylor has already played 29 Tests and 66 One-Day Internationals since making his debut as an 18-year-old seven years ago, but has struggled over the last year with injury.

He limped out of the first Test against Australia in Brisbane last November after sending down nine overs in the first innings and since then has struggled to regain full fitness.

The WICB said earlier this month it was disappointed with Taylor’s “lack of commitment to his own rehabilitation”, stressing that he had not pursued the level of fitness required to allow him to play consistently at the international level.

Taylor said despite the setback, he was still focussed on playing for West Indies.
“My intention is to represent Jamaica and then play for West Indies, which I always love doing,” said Taylor.
He is currently recovering from a back injury sustained in the recent ODI series against South Africa three months ago and says the process had been a gradual one.

“To be honest it’s a slow process in terms of treatment and strengthening we are taking it gradually, step by step making sure I cover in all the areas we need to cover,” the right-armer explained.
“We are paying more attention to duration rather than to rush back in action.”