Former England wicket-keeper-batter Sarah Taylor is now the first female player who will coach in men’s professional franchise cricket. This happened after she was named the assistant coach of Team Abu Dhabi for the upcoming Abu Dhabi T10 league, which is all set to begin on November 19.
However, Taylor has also become the first woman specialised coach of Sussex in the United Kingdom with a men’s team as well. She is considered one of the best ever wicket-keepers in world cricket as well. Meanwhile, she said that her involvement with the T10 league will inspire women all over the world also.
“Coming into this franchise world, you get players and coaches coming in from all around the world where it may not necessarily be the norm,” said Sarah Taylor. “But I’d love to think that some young girl or some woman watching can see me in the coaching team and realise that’s an opportunity and they can push for it, saying ‘If she can do it, why can’t I?”
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Sarah Taylor made her international debut way back in 2006 and played in 10 Tests, 126 ODIS, and 90 T20Is for England before announcing her retirement in 2019. However, she returned to professional cricket and took part in The Hundred and the 2021 Women’s Twenty20 Cup as well.
“I do hope that it becomes a little more normal and I may be the first but I won’t be the last. Coaching is my passion and it’s kind of going down the men’s route, which is really exciting. I’ve never had issues in male environments and I enjoy the challenge. You always want to prove that you’re good enough, but that’s the same for any coach going into a new environment,” Sarah Taylor again shared.
Meanwhile, Taylor will work as an assistant to head coach Paul Farbrace. On the other hand, former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener has also joined Team Abu Dhabi.
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“It came completely out of the blue and it was an amazing surprise. I’ve been counting down the days until I can get to Abu Dhabi and get going. I cannot wait. As soon as I found out who the staff was, that made it even more exciting and it was a lightbulb moment that I would be stupid to miss out on the opportunity. I’ve got so much to learn, they’ve probably got so much to tell me and I’m very much going to be a sponge. I’ll have to be. I’m going to sit there with a notebook and write as much as I can. They know that as well, and will teach me so much as I’m at the start of my coaching career,” concluded Sarah Taylor.
