First Female Coach In Men's Cricket, Wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor Joins Sussex Men’s Squad

Sarah Taylor Sussex Men Squad: England's County Cricket Club, Sussex, on Monday appointed former player Sarah Taylor as coaching staff for the upcoming season.

Guernsey cricketer and a former Leicestershire batsman Ashley Wright will also join the Sussex coaching staff. "Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce the addition of Sarah Taylor and Ashley Wright to its coaching staff for the forthcoming season," Sussex Cricket said in a statement.

Taylor became the first female coach in English professional cricket since the County Championship was first played for in 1890.

The former England wicketkeeper, Taylor, will be supporting the full-time coaching team of Ian Salisbury and James Kirtley and work with the professional squad. The 37-year-old is joining the Sussex Cricket Pathway on a part-time basis.

Taylor, who retired from England duty in September 2019 citing anxiety-related issues, will continue to work as a wicketkeeper in the club. “I’m really pleased about working with the club’s wicketkeepers. From Ben Brown and Phil Salt in the professional squad and down through the pathway, we have a really talented group of keepers at Sussex who I am looking forward to working with immensely,” Taylor was quoted as saying in a statement on the Sussex cricket website. Her illness was diagnosed in 2016.

Two new additions to our coaching staff. 🤝

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce the appointment of Ashley Wright and @Sarah_Taylor30:

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) March 15, 2021

The wicketkeeper-batswoman, Taylor made 226 appearances for England, scoring 6,533 international runs in a 13-year career. She was second on England women’s all-time list of run scorers.

So happy to get the opportunity to be around this squad! Thank you to everyone at @SussexCCC 🏏 https://t.co/e4vli8wPWI

— Sarah Taylor (@Sarah_Taylor30) March 15, 2021

Back in 2015, Taylor became the first woman in history to play in A Grade cricket in Australia during a match between Northern Districts and Port Adelaide. "I want to share my experience and expertise to help them get the most out of their game. I’m a big believe in keeping things simple and perfecting the basics so that players can enjoy and express themselves with the gloves," she added.

"We have a really talented group of keepers at Sussex. I want to share my experience and expertise to help them get the most out of their game." 🗣️💬@Sarah_Taylor30 is "really pleased" to have joined the club's coaching staff for the forthcoming season:

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) March 15, 2021

Feature Image Credit: The Times