THERE remains a burning desire to play cricket for the former West Indies pace bowler Jerome Taylor as he prepares for his Barnards Green debut this Saturday at North End Lane.

The 37-year-old, who played 64 times for his country, admits the thought of retirement has never crossed his mind and whilst he remains fit and able to play, he is committed to the game that has given him so much over his 19-year career.

"If the body allows me to continue, I will continue for as long as I can," said Taylor.

"But I have never dreamt of a day that I will have to stop playing but we all know it is coming and then when that happens, you have to look for a new chapter of your life.

"Whether that is going to be coaching or something else within cricket, I will be more than willing to do that."

This will not be the first time Taylor has played on these shores. He has turned out for county sides Leicestershire, Sussex and Somerset in years gone by.

He told the Malvern Gazette that England suits his game and was one of the reasons he was wiling to return, this time though, to Malvern.

"As a kid growing up, I heard that England would suit my style of bowling so I like playing here in England, it's one of the places I look forward to playing," added Taylor.

"I have an agent who shops around for me and I was in the Caribbean with not much to do at this time of year and my agent asked if I would like to come over to Malvern, and I said, yes, why not!

"If there is a game of cricket, I am always willing to play, wherever that may be. Cricket is my life, it is the life I have been living since I was a kid.

"Whilst I still have it in me to play, I am more than willing."

Barnards Green, who play in the Birmingham and District League Division Two, have been waiting a couple of months to confirm the deal to bring Taylor to the club but will finally be able to unveil the former T20 World Cup winner as one of their own this Saturday.

Green host league leaders Wolverhampton at North End Lane looking to continue their impressive form that has seen them win four games on the trot.

The arrival of Taylor will no doubt lead to a full house on Saturday, which, even for an experienced international, adds just a little bit of pressure.

"There is going to be a little bit of pressure because I know what my reputation is like," he added.

"But I am here to play cricket, so when that bell rings, I will be ready to play and I would like to ask everyone to come out and support the team as we are looking forward to another good game."

Taylor will be with the club until September and, on Wednesday, met teammates and club members.

"The people here are very receptive, I must say that," Taylor continued.

"I got a chance to meet some of the guys on the team this week and they were all very welcoming and now I am looking forward to playing some cricket."