Sarah Taylor has been one of the best wicket-keeper batters in the history of women’s cricket. The 32-year-old has played 226 internationals, has scored 6,533 runs, and accounted for 128 catches and 104 stumpings. She enjoyed the reputation of being one of the attacking players in the English line-up and was considered to be the safest house behind the stumps.
On Thursday, the former England star joined Northern Diamonds and will make her debut against South East Stars on June 12. Taylor has replaced Lauren Winfield-Hill, who has been called up for national duties ahead of the India-England series starting June 16.
Sarah Taylor has been called as a replacement for Lauren Winfield-Hill, who has been called up by England for the upcoming series against India. #RHFTrophy | @Sarah_Taylor30 pic.twitter.com/6ep8t5At7G
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) June 10, 2021
Commenting on her signing for Diamonds, Taylor said: “Dani [Hazell] gave me a call and told me that Lauren [Winfield-Hill] was going off with England and Bess [Heath] is injured so they were after a keeper, and it’s good for me to play in a good competition in preparation for my Hundred stint. It’s kind of a win-win for everyone really, but it was really nice of Dani to think of me. It’s going to be a good test for me. I might be a little bit rusty but part of the reason for me playing is to get rid of that. Hopefully, I will perform well and can carry on where I left off. If I don’t then it’s okay, it’s just me getting back into the swing of things and remembering what it’s like to keep for 50 overs. I know the Diamonds squad is a good one and I’m looking forward to joining them at training tomorrow.”
Taylor hung her boots from playing international cricket in 2019, citing personal reasons. However, she was back in the scheme of things soon as she donned the coaching hat for Sussex. She will also feature in the much-awaited tournament of the year “The Hundred” representing Welsh Fire.
“I had to take some time out of the game to gain a little bit of perspective on it, but after everything had settled down, life got back to normal. It was nice to then have the opportunity to look at the game and throw myself into it. Once the opportunity came around with Sussex and then the Welsh Fire, it was a really easy decision to come back. Now with the Northern Diamonds, I think I’d be stupid to turn these opportunities down,” she concluded.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.
