This summer, the former English wicket-keeper bat Sarah Taylor is all set to make her comeback in the much-awaited competition which is “The Hundred”.
Taylor hung up her boots from international cricket in 2019 amid issues with anxiety and has not been seen on a cricket field since turning out for Surrey Stars in Kia Super League that season.
Taylor, who has signed to play for Welsh Fire, said: “I genuinely had to blow dust off my cricket bag. I had one [net session] and it went pretty well. I felt absolutely fine. I wasn’t scared of the idea of playing, whereas before I was. I don’t really feel like I’ve got much to lose by playing [in the Hundred], I just get to enjoy myself. I could have the worst tournament in the world but I know that I will probably love every minute because I’ve got my job as a coach at Sussex.”
Former England ‘keeper, Sarah Taylor, has signed up for Welsh Fire in The Hundred.
🗨️ Here’s what made her take this decision 👇
Source: ESPN Cricinfo | #SarahTaylor pic.twitter.com/WfCFoXH6wg
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) April 6, 2021
The 31-year old has been a part of two 50-over World Cup wins, one T20 World Cup success, and three Ashes victories. With over 6,500 international runs to her name and the tag of “best wicket-keeper” across men’s and women’s game given by Adam Gilchrist in 2018, Taylor will definitely be a player to watch out for in the mega event.
Participating in a tournament like “The Hundred” fulfills a couple of Taylor’s personal ambitions such as placing women’s cricket on the same platform as the men’s game for the first time – even if a marked wage gap exists – and the deal at Welsh Fire meaning she will play alongside Meg Lanning, Australia’s all-conquering captain.
Taylor said: “A female tournament in this country and we’re all paid, I think it’s massive for the women’s game. We lose a lot of girls playing cricket because they need to go out there and get jobs. [And] it’s like one team and two squads. To have the guys and girls on the same wavelength and helping each other will benefit both. A draw for me was also playing with Meg Lanning, that’s always something that I’ve wanted to do for quite a few years. I’m fed up of fetching her balls. Take into account her leadership skills – which I can’t wait to learn from in terms of my coaching – and the fact she’s phenomenal as a batter, she would be your ideal player in any team.”
She concluded, “[In the nets] I was batting like I was when I was back in 2006 when I made my debut. I played everything on the front foot when I was younger and was looking to take the attack to the bowler; dominate down the ground, with a bit of flair. But I sat back foot towards the end [of my England career], with no confidence. So it was nice to come back to the nets and feel that ego, that aggression – that dismissiveness. I used to have that as a player. I just lost that, so to get that back and bat like I used to was nice. There was a little bit of arrogance, which I’ll need.”
Source: The Guardian
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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.