Wednesday 13 April 2016 06:13, UK
Nottinghamshire and England batsman James Taylor has been forced to retire because of a serious heart condition.
Scans on Monday revealed the 26-year-old is suffering from ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Arrhythmia), a similar condition to that suffered by former footballer Fabrice Muamba, and he will undergo surgery in the coming days.
Taylor, who originally withdrew from last week's fixture against Cambridge MCCU with what was believed to be a viral condition, tweeted on Tuesday morning, writing: "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"
Later on Tuesday, he tweeted: "Absolutely overwhelmed with all the support I've received. You don't understand how much it means to me and how much it helps! Thank you!"
Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell told the club's official website: "Myself and all of James' teammates & colleagues are terribly sad to hear this news, which comes as a big shock to us all.
"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."
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Newell added: "His reaction is obviously devastation that all he's wanted to do since he was a little kid has been taken away from him now, although the realisation that he is still alive and can have a full and healthy life has tempered that to some extent, because his general all-round fitness has helped him on this occasion and possibly saved him from a worse fate."
Muamba, whose heart stopped for 78 minutes after collapsing at White Hart Lane while playing for Bolton against Tottenham in 2012, tweeted Taylor his best wishes on Tuesday, writing: "having life is a great option. Retirement is inevitable but for some of us it's just earlier than expected. Enjoy life."
England Team Director Andrew Strauss added: "It is both shocking and saddening to hear that James' career has been cut short in such a sudden and unexpected manner.
"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, who began his professional career with Leicestershire before moving to Trent Bridge five years ago, scored more than 9,000 first-class runs at an average above 46, and hit 20 centuries.
His 27 one-day international appearances for England yielded 887 runs at an average of 42.23.
He made his Test debut against South Africa at Headingley in 2012, but after his first two caps that summer he had to wait more than three years to begin to re-establish himself in the team, which he did on the tour to South Africa over the winter.
