A Taylor-made return

But by 2013, the Jamaican was lost in the obscurity, with many around West Indian cricket fearing the worst, that he was lost for good. As the frenzied discussion continued in the lobby that day, Taylor hadn’t played international cricket for over three years. A period where he had been laid low by back injuries and differences with the WICB. And one where the same man who had destroyed England with a spell of spellbinding pace and swing in 2009 was termed ‘difficult’ and had his committment questioned. That he was Chris Gayle’s buddy at a time when his star compatriot wasn’t seeing eye-to-eye with the board didn’t help either.

On Thursday, Taylor was back at the CCI in West Indian colours though no longer as a young tearaway but a determined 30-year-old on a comeback trail. Donning the stretch-band as a sash, he was busy kicking a football around at the same spot where he had landed up on his celebratory jig after clean-bowling Brad Hogg to complete the ‘trick on that dramatic night eight years ago. And though he maintained his inherent Jamaican nonchalance, Taylor did recall his feat with some pride.

“It is actually on the top of my mind. How can I forget anything like that? It is there and it will be there for a very long while until I can put something in front of that. But that’s in the past. There are lot of things that can be achieved in the future,” he said.

Long sabbatical

Taylor had appeared in less than a dozen matches across all formats during the 40-month sabbatical that was imposed on him between 2010 and 2013. There were those who even believed he had lost his motivation to forge a return. But by late last year, the diminutive fast bowler had started making headlines again in local cricket circles back home in Jamaica.

Fitter, faster

And then came the 2013-14 domestic season, where he proved that he was fitter and hungrier than ever. He bowled more balls—1250 for the record—than he ever had in a season, snared 25 wickets at 25.28, and was back to being a menace for opposition batsmen with his skiddy zip and ability to move the ball at pace and at fine angles.

He insists that a premature retirement was never an option.

“First of all, the thought of retirement never crossed my mind. It was more of a physical challenge than a mental one. I have undergone a lot of stuff to get back to this point. It was a lot of work in the back end and it worked ok for me,” he said.

It was only a matter of time post his domestic success that Taylor was recalled to the West Indies Test squad. In the five Tests since his return, Taylor has taken 18 wickets at 26.16. In a week’s time he looks set to play his first ODI and lead the attack since June 2010. And West Indies cricket is punch-pleased that their ‘Bobby’ is back.