whilst at Worcestershire as part of the performance program in September 2007 to play one-day matches against second XI teams. Taylor top-scored with 65 not out in a victory for England against Gloucestershire second XI. He was then selected in a tri-nations U-19 series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. England missed out on reaching the final, which was eventually won by Pakistan, Taylor hit his highest score of 43 against Sri Lanka in an English defeat. In February 2008 Taylor was selected to participate in the 2008 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, held in Malaysia. Despite a poor campaign by England, Taylor scored 200 runs in the series with a top score of 52 not out against Ireland U-19 in a 10-wicket victory, opening with Billy Godleman. In July 2008, Taylor was chosen again to face New Zealand U-19 in five one day matches. As well as being chosen to play in the 2009 England U-19 tour of South Africa. England played two Youth Test matches, five one-day matches and two T20 Youth matches. England were defeated in all three genres of the game. Taylor did however secure a win for England in the third ODI as he scored 85 to claw England a way back into the series at 1–2. Taylor was first selected for the England Lions in February 2010 to play in the UAE against Pakistan A. Taylor scored 61 in the second one-day fixture, helping England to a three wicket victory and levelling the series at 1–1. Taylor played two matches for the Lions in June 2010 against India A hitting 24 and 19 not out. In February 2011 Taylor was picked for the England Lions, who had been invited by the West Indies Cricket Board to participate in the Regional Four Day Competition. Taylor enjoyed a successful series scoring 527 runs from six matches for the Lions, including his seventh first-class century. In May 2011, Taylor represented England Lions in a tour match against Sri Lanka at the County Ground, Derby. Taylor opened the batting hitting 76 in the first innings. For the August 2011 Sri Lanka A series, Taylor was appointed captain of the England Lions at the age of 21. In the four-day game against Sri Lanka, Taylor was in good form, making scores of 76 and 98 as the match ended in a draw. In the first one-day match against Sri Lanka