Rob Taylor - England - Bowler

Born and brought up in Northampton, Robert Taylor, made his debut for Leicestershire's Second XI in May 2008 when he was just 18. Three years later, he was playing against Leicestershire and scored an unbeaten ton for the Loughborough MCCU, securing an unlikely draw. Taylor completed his studies at Loughborough in 2012 and went on to impress with several useful spells. He was the Foxes' leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps in the CB40. He followed that up with a decent bowling display in the Friends Life T20, in which he had an economy rate of 6.91.

His appearances for Leicestershire helped him earn a call-up for the national squad and he made his ODI debut in 2013 against Afghanistan. He took little time in establishing himself as a dependable No.8 batsman and Scotland's opening bowler. Throughout the 2012 and 2013 seasons, he kept featuring for his county in all three formats.

Taylor was fantastic in the World Cup Qualifiers in 2014. In a match against Kenya, where Scotland required 92 to win, Taylor smashed 46 off just 37 deliveries. His knock ensured Scotland's safe passage to Australia and New Zealand.

Interesting fact: At the end of the 2012 season, Taylor participated in a special bike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS). He took the journey along with his father, brother and a family friend in remembrance of his mother, whom he lost in 2005.

by Sonali Dhulap