ENGLAND has called up Winchester KS pace bowler Billy Taylor, who has been selected to play for the English cricket Board in a three-day match against British Universities at Durham, starting on Tuesday, writes Mike Vimpany.

Taylor, 22, has been in top form since returning from a wicket-strewn winter in New Zealand, where he bagged almost 100 victims in Central Districts' club and representative matches.

The Winchester player, who turns out alongside elder brothers Martin and Jimmy in Southern League cricket, also has high hopes of securing a professional contract with Sussex.

"I've taken 15 wickets in separate three-day matches for Sussex against Lancashire and Derbyshire, including that of Phil De Fretais, the former England all-rounder," he said.

"Sussex have said they're very pleased with my performances and hopefully there will be a contract on offer in the near future," said Taylor.

The Townhill Park-based cricketer certainly has a great incentive to shine against the British Universities, whose side includes Hampshire's Simon Francis, currently studying at Durham.

"There are ECB matches planned against both Australia A and Sri Lanka A, besides a Triple Crown tournament involving Ireland and Scotland in Dublin later in the season," explained ECB spokesman Danny Window.

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