Nottinghamshire batsman James Taylor celebrated his call up to England’s squad for the third Investec Ashes Test with an unbeaten 121 against Australia in their warm-up match against Sussex this weekend.
Resuming on 64, Taylor played steadily for his century, and his innings lasted until Sussex declared on 368-7. In reply, Australia captain and former Nottinghamshire batsman Ed Cowan finished on 77 not out for before the match ended in a draw.
"I'm delighted to be back in the England squad - one step closer to playing - but we all hope KP is fit and well for the game," said Taylor.
"I have had a little taster against Australia and if required I'll be up for it.
"They are obviously quality Test bowlers and they have proved themselves. It was a good tester out there on a decent cricket wicket."
Taylor has had an excellent season for Nottinghamshire, his 824 runs in the LV= County Championship coming at an average of 58.85. He has also been central to the Notts Outlaws YB40 and FLt20 campaigns. He has two Test caps to his name, the most recent being against South Africa last summer.
"I am in a better space mentally, and probably my game is in a better space, than a year ago,” added Taylor.
"I am another year experienced and I have got a shedload more runs behind me.
“It’s something everybody dreams about, playing for England, especially in an Ashes Test.”
Nottinghamshire’s Director of Cricket Mick Newell added that Taylor deserves his chance after impressing on the county circuit.
"Like a lot of good batsmen, he loves batting,” he said.
“He's got stickability; he will see off good spells of bowling and he seizes on the opportunities to score now probably better than he did a year ago.
"He's got all the attributes, but the most important thing is he wants to be out in the middle for four, five, six hours. That's the only way you make big scores."