England: Cook shocked by James Taylor retirement

Alastair Cook has spoken of his "huge shock" at hearing that England team-mate James Taylor has been forced to retire due to a serious heart condition.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Tuesday that batsman Taylor had cut short his career at the age of 26 after being diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Arrhythmia.

Taylor forced his way back into the Test team last year following a three-year absence and the prolific right-hander also made 27 one-day international appearances - with many more expected to follow.

England Test captain Cook said the news of Taylor's condition came as a bolt from the blue.

"He proved people wrong time and time again and was a great character to have around the dressing room," opening batsman Cook told BBC Radio Essex.

"It's a career cut very short but, on the flip side, at least it's been detected and we're not talking about something a lot worse.

"When I found out on Monday night it was a huge shock, and a realisation of how lucky we are that we are able to play this great game.

"If there's a guy that can handle what he's going through, it's him because of his character.

"Hopefully the operation can go well and we'll see him around, and adding his talent to the English game in a different way."