GETTING TO KNOW ... CHRIS TAYLOR
12/11/2009
Throughout the winter this website will be doing weekly features on Gloucestershire's players, including a series of questions and answers aimed at giving supporters an insight into their likes and dislikes away from cricket. We start with Chris Taylor, who faces a busy winter, including more commitments as a fielding coach with the England set-up, as well as a tough training schedule with the club. Chris told this website: “I have been approached by the ECB to do some more fielding coaching this winter, working on a number of projects, including the Performance Programme and with the England Lions and Under-18 side. “I'll be based at Loughborough part of the time and have some overseas tours to go on as well to South Africa, Abu Dhabi and Bangalore, so I'm very excited about all that. “Gloucestershire's players are all on 12-month contracts now, so when I am not doing my fielding coaching I will be here with the rest of the lads working towards next season. “I get the impression from John Bracewell and the coaching staff that the work-rate will be stepped up somewhat so it's probably a good thing for me I am away part of the time! Chris admits to mixed feeling about the 2009 season, both in terms of team performances and his own contributions. “Our form at home in the Championship was outstanding,” he said “But you always look back at the end of a season and think of those times and sessions where we lost out on the odd point here and there, which would have made such a difference. “My own season was a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. I was disappointed with my form in certain competitions and certain areas, but happier with other aspects. “Overall, I was slightly disappointed because I felt last year I had found the consistency I had been seeking for a number of seasons and I couldn't quite build on that.” Chris believes that the signs are good for Gloucestershire to be a force next season and expects the team to be challenging in both four-day and one-day cricket. “I think we will be competitive as a side next summer. We have come a long way this year, especially in the Championship,” he said. “We are still a good one-day team and proved it in the 50-over competition, but we didn't show the toughness or the application consistently enough to compete throughout the season. “I know John Bracewell will try to address those issues in the coming months. With his guidance and a squad that desperately wants to get better, I believe we will make further progress in 2010.” GETTING TO KNOW CHRIS TAYLOR FAMILY: Wife Sarah, children Harriett, Alexandra and Jonty. HOME: Born in Bristol. Now lives in Wiltshire. FAVOURITE MUSIC: Easy Listening. FAVOURITE FILM: Rocky and Top Gun. FAVOURITE FOOTBALL TEAM: Prefer Egg Chasing to football! FAVOURITE MEAL YOU CAN COOK: Mexican food. STYLE ICON: Becks SPORTING IDOL: Tiger Woods WHAT CAREER WOULD YOU HAVE IF YOU WERE NOT A CRICKETER: Either a sports coach or a teacher. AIM FOR THE WINTER: I am looking forward to working for the ECB as a fielding coach and looking to use the experience to improve my coaching and add value to the players on the programmes. MOST DIFFICULT OPPONENT AND WHY: Me. I get myself out more times than anyone else! BEST MOMENT OF CAREER SO FAR: Playing in Lord's finals. CHANGES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE GAME: Bring back 50-over cricket.
