Now, with Kevin Pietersen's calf carrying a question mark over it (not yet in tattoo ink, although that must only be a matter of time) there is the chance that it might be third time lucky for James Taylor. He notched up 121 not out for Sussex against the Australians this week, and while by his own admission it may not have been his best innings, I think that makes it all the more impressive. When you know you're playing for your Test place, and also know that you don't feel comfortable at the crease, it takes great strength of mind to stick at it for long enough to post a century.
James Taylor has found his feet in Division One of the Championship for Nottinghamshire.
It is unusual now to see a young player who is equally adept in all forms of the game, but James Taylor definitely falls into that category. In first-class cricket, he is superb, with sixteen centuries already to his name and an average of almost fifty. In List A cricket, he is rampant too, scoring his runs at an average of fifty, a strike rate of five an over, and making up for his lack of raw power with timing and class. He is not an impact player, so it is unlikely that we will see him play under Stuart Broad any time soon, but 18 not-outs from 58 innings show that his a more than capable Twenty20 finisher, too.
Aged just 23, he will have an excellent England career - it's just about when it takes off.