The game of cricket has always been acknowledged as a sport predominantly played by gentlemen-male cricketers. However, even though men have made major contributions to this sport ever since it came into existence, women’s cricket has always been at par with the men’s game, even ahead at times.

Sarah Taylor Thinks Being A Woman Coach In Men’s Franchise Cricket Is An Interesting One, But There Are A Lot Of Women Coaches In England

In fact, the very first Cricket World Cup played in 1973 was played exclusively by women, as opposed to the popular belief that the first World Cup was in 1975, which was won by Clive Llyod’s West Indies. Also, not many know that the first double centurion in ODI cricket was not Sachin Tendulkar, but it was, in fact, Belinda Clack of Australia, who scored a mammoth 229 in 1997, 13 years before Sachin Tendulkar reached the milestone for the first time.

In a 1997 ICC Women’s World Cup game in Mumbai, 13 years before Sachin Tendulkar became the first male to score a double ton in a 50-over game, captain Belinda Clark smashed an unbeaten 229 off just 155 balls to propel Australia to a mammoth 412 for 3 against Denmark.

Taking another step forward, the world will soon witness a female cricketer in a coach’s role in men’s franchise cricket. Former England wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Taylor, a legend of the sport and a true trailblazer in her own right, has been roped in by Team Abu Dhabi for the T10 league 2021.

Belinda Clark smashed an unbeaten 229 off just 155 balls to propel Australia to a mammoth total of 412 for three against Denmark © Getty Images — Belinda Clark smashed an unbeaten 229 off just 155 balls to propel Australia to a mammoth total of 412 for 3 against Denmark © Getty Images.

Until last year it was just Universe Boss Chris Gayle who was the main attraction of the team. However, this season, it’s Sarah Taylor who would make a major difference.

“I think it’s an interesting one [having a woman coach in men’s franchise cricket]. There are very good women coaches out there. I don’t think if they have aspirations to go into men’s cricket, I have no idea.”

“I don’t know whether me being with Sussex is kind of people have looked to – ‘Okay! ‘She just wants to be in men’s game’ – I have no idea. But I agree, there are a lot of female coaches who would have been very good for the men’s game. But as I said, we have got Julie (Price), myself and there will be plenty more,” Sarah said during a media interaction facilitated by T10 League.

Sarah Taylor has been associated with the English county team Sussex as a coach, and it’s going to be a huge milestone when she will share her inputs with some renowned male players of the game. While the outside world is calling this development ‘path breaking’, the former English cricketer believes it’s just the beginning. She already has the experience, having been the first female specialist coach at Men’s county cricket level when she joined Sussex.

Sarah Taylor Opens Up On Meeting Chris Gayle And Being A RCB Fan

Being a coach, it’s important to analyze each and every player on the team, especially when you have someone like Chris Gayle on your side; it’s a surreal experience. Sarah Taylor feels the same way as she’s going to meet the Universe Boss for the first time. The Abu Dhabi T10 will begin on November 19 and conclude on December 4. Chris Gayle and Liam Livingstone are two recognize international players who will take part in the league.

“I mean look, I have always seen him in the nets wearing a helmet. I have been pretty much working with wicketkeepers and now I will probably sit back and enjoy watching Chris. It will be a kind of a moment where I’ll be in a dugout and do look around and I’ll look at names who are in there.

“It is a serious team. I will just embrace it. I am just excited to see what’s going to happen. I am sure, Chris will be a very, very funny guy. I haven’t met him before, so It’ll be nice to see him,” she told Cricketnext.com.

When asked about which team in IPL she would like to join as a coach, if given a chance in the future, Sarah said, “You can’t ask me that [and she giggles].

“I have been an RCB fan. I have left that to Alex Hartley and Kate Cross to deal with that, really. I’m like, they are doing that. I can’t be them. I’m not thinking that far ahead. I don’t even know if that would really happen. But yeah, I’ve been a big RCB fan.”

England veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Sarah Taylor had announced shocking retirement from international cricket with immediate effect in September 2019. The 30-year-old has been dealing with anxiety issues for the past few years, which forced her into retirement.

Sarah Taylor played 10 Tests, 126 ODIs, and 90 T20Is. In total, she scored 6533 runs at the highest level of the game. Known for her wicketkeeping skills, she affected 232 dismissals, most by any player.