Taylor Recalls Day He Thought He'd Die

James Taylor has told Sky Sports how he feared the heart condition that brought his cricket career to an end might also have ended his life.

The former England and Nottinghamshire batsman detailed the events that unfolded on the day he was diagnosed with his illness. He said: "Towards the back end of a warm-up [for Nottinghamshire] I said 'My chest isn't feeling great here'.

"My heart was pounding and I thought it was maybe a bit of anxiety, I didn't know why, but it was kicking off in my chest.

"I did a few more basic throws and then went inside and it was about four degrees - really cold - and I knew something was wrong because there was sweat from my head pounding the floor - I was wet through.

"My chest then started to tighten up, my throat started to tighten up and I couldn't breathe. That was the first time I thought I was going to die.

"It was funny because my body was packing up, but not my mind - I can remember everything. I felt as good as I've ever felt technically and mentally, just obviously not physically.

"I tried to hide [it] from the guys, they just thought I was ill and didn't truly know what was going on until I went to hospital.

"The physio put me on oxygen in the changing room and I was really battling. My heart was beating out of my chest. It was so uncomfortable but I battled through. I went home and organised for a doctor to come and see me at 6pm.

"At home I was laying on the sofa and the whole sofa started vibrating from my heart beat. My house was 24 degrees, but everything was freezing.

"I crawled upstairs and was sick everywhere. My parents wanted to take me to hospital, but I was trying to be a hero. I was almost too embarrassed to go to hospital, but my body was starting to pack up.

"On the way I thought I might have to exaggerate the story so the doctors would see me a bit quicker - well, that wasn't a problem! When I went in I was sick everywhere again, and the nurse saw me straight away.

"I was plugged up to the machines, my heart was at 265 beats per minute, more than four beats per second. The curtain of the ward opened and doctors started flooding in. That's when I thought 'This is serious now'.

"They said that one, it was a miracle that I was still standing, and two, if I wasn't as fit as I am then anything could have happened.

"To put it into perspective, they said 'You've effectively done the equivalent of six marathons in five hours'. That is what my heart had done, so no wonder I was feeling a little bit tired by this stage. Even now, the heart beat is more pronounced, every beat.

"I've got a million and one people to thank but the main people obviously - my physio was brilliant, remaining calm and he did a great job. My missus has been outstanding, I was in hospital for 16 nights and she was there.

"I also wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the NHS and the doctors being so proactive and doing what they did. I owe everything to them. You only realise how good they are when you seriously do need them. I depended on them and the treatment I received from the word go was unbelievable and ultimately they saved my life.

"When I was told I could never play sport again and live my dreams, do what I love doing, I was in hysterics. I was crying a lot. But for most people this condition is only found in the post-mortem, so the tears slowed down a bit. I feel lucky to be here."

Taylor added: Hopefully I can still remain in cricket in some capacity, I've always enjoyed helping people so if I can help people in the future and give back then that'd be brilliant.

"I've achieved a lot in a short space of time, I've represented my country and the last full game that I completed was in an England shirt, which is special in itself.