Sarah Taylor, who played 226 times for England before retiring early due to anxiety, has made her way back to the top as a coach. She recently worked with England Lions wicketkeepers at Loughborough under head coach Andrew Flintoff, and later joined the squad on tour in South Africa. Despite her internal fear, she accepted the opportunity without hesitation.
Taylor admitted that her career was plagued by performance-based anxiety and agoraphobia, leading her to resent the game. However, stepping away brought peace and a new perspective. She described the Lions role as a perfect opportunity, saying she would have been 'genuinely an idiot' to refuse it.
During a recent stint in Abu Dhabi, the squad experienced a tense environment with banging and sirens. Taylor praised Flintoff as a calming influence, noting his genuine care for the players. She will continue her work with the Lions this summer, focusing on wicketkeeping and fielding.
Taylor began her coaching journey at Bede's School in Sussex, later working with the Sussex men's squad. She overcame impostor syndrome thanks to the kindness of colleagues. She believes wicketkeeping skills are universal, regardless of gender, and that women's cricket is becoming more professional.
