Ken Taylor, the former England and Yorkshire all-rounder, has passed away aged 91, bequeathing a remarkable career in English cricket.
Taylor’s first-class career started at the tender age of 17 for Yorkshire, according to details. Throughout his career, he appeared in 303 first-class contests and was an important player for the county side for a number of years.
Taylor was instrumental in Yorkshire’s achievements during that period, winning seven County Championship honours from 1959 to 1968. Yorkshire saw him as one of the most versatile and talented of his time and acknowledged his ability with both bat and ball.
Taylor was a batsman who scored 12,864 runs in first-class cricket, of which 16 were centuries. An unforgettable moment of his career was in 1961 when he got an unbeaten 203 runs off Warwickshire at Edgbaston. The innings showcased his ability to bat and made him a reliable performer for Yorkshire.
But Taylor’s impact wasn’t just in the batting average. He was also a good medium-pace bowler and he took 129 wickets in his first-class career. He also collected 146 catches, highlighting his versatility as an all-rounder and his prowess as a fielder.
He had one of his outstanding spells of bowling in his 1961 representative match against Lancashire at Old Trafford. Taylor was outstanding in his spell and helped Yorkshire keep the momentum going in the historic clash.
Over a career of almost 30 years in cricket, Taylor made his mark in the history of the Yorkshire team. His career in the county with bat and ball will always be remembered as an integral part of his legacy in English cricket with his part in the county’s many championship victories.