Former England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor has been appointed as fielding coach for the men's Test series against New Zealand, marking a groundbreaking moment in English cricket. The 36-year-old, who won the World Cup in 2017, will become the most senior female coach to work with a major England men's team.
Watershed appointment
Taylor has been part of the England and Wales Cricket Board's coaching set-up for the past two years, and recently served as an assistant coach for the Lions during their tour of Australia under Andrew Flintoff. Her new role with Ben Stokes' side is a watershed moment for gender equality in the sport.
This is not the first time Taylor has broken barriers. She was once hailed as 'the best wicketkeeper in the world' by legendary Australian Adam Gilchrist, who made it clear he was speaking without reference to gender. In 2021, she joined Sussex's coaching staff to work with their wicketkeepers, and six years earlier, she became the first woman to play first-grade cricket in Australia when she kept wicket for Northern Districts.
Coaching role details
During the three-match Test series against the Black Caps, Taylor will work with wicketkeepers Jamie Smith and James Rew. She replaces previous fielding consultant Carl Hopkinson, who is currently involved with Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
Taylor's appointment has been widely welcomed as a significant step forward for diversity in cricket coaching. It reflects the ECB's commitment to providing opportunities for former players regardless of gender, and highlights the growing recognition of female expertise in men's professional cricket.
