England batsman James Taylor is keen to use the ongoing One-Day International series against Australia as an opportunity to cement his place in the 50-over format.

Having made his debut in 2011, Taylor has been in and out of the England team, playing in 19 ODIs while scoring 541 runs.

Taylor has also played two Test matches against South Africa in 2012, but did not manage to make a name for himself, having made just 48 runs.

Stating that it was now upon him to make it hard for the selectors to drop him, Taylor wants to make the number three spot his own.

“I have shown glimpses of what I can do, and it’s up to me to stamp my authority on the No. 3 spot.

“Joe (Root) may be resting but I want to be in this squad for as long as possible and make it as hard as possible to be left out.

“It’s up to me to do that.” 

In the first ODI against England on Thursday, Taylor got off to a good start, but was bowled by Shane Watson with one run short of a well-deserved half-century.

Regretting that he was unable to go on and make a big score, Taylor said: “That’s why I was disappointed to not go on (at Southampton), because it was my perfect situation — scoring and controlling the innings.” 

Taylor was at the receiving end of a send-off from Watson, but the 25-year-old took it positively affirming that it was a reflection of doing well against the opposition.

Despite being dismissed while attempting to hit the ball out of the park, Taylor opined that he will always go for his shots whenever there is an opportunity presented to him.

“When I bat, and especially against a specific bowler who is bowling into my strengths, I go for it.

“I’m confident with the shot, and I don’t do it half-heartedly.

“The option was there, but I just missed it.

“To be fair to Watson, he tailed the ball in, and that might have been my downfall.” 

After England’s disastrous World Cup campaign, Taylor was dropped from the ODI squad for the series against New Zealand.

Accepting that it was a disappointing experience, Taylor asserted that he always looked to come out stronger when faced with uncertainty. 

“When I got whispers of the team (against New Zealand), I was bitterly disappointed.

“But I got over it quickly.

“I have been knocked down before and got up stronger, and that’s the way I try and look at it.” 

Taylor’s best ODI knock came in England’s inaugural game against Australia in the 2015 World Cup, wherein he scored an unbeaten 98 runs in a losing cause. 

© Cricket World 2015