London, May 14: Former wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Taylor is set to make history as the first woman to work with England’s senior men’s cricket team. She has been appointed as the fielding coach for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.
Recognized as one of the best wicketkeepers, Taylor will serve as a short-term fielding coach during this domestic series while regular coach Karl Hopkinson is occupied with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
This role marks another milestone in Taylor’s coaching career. She has held various positions in county and franchise cricket, including with Sussex County Cricket Club and Manchester Originals. Additionally, she has collaborated with former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff while working with the England Lions.
Rob, the Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, confirmed Taylor’s appointment while announcing the team for the Test at Lord’s against New Zealand. He stated, “I believe she is one of the best in her field. She has worked extensively with Andrew Flintoff and Ed Barney (Performance Director). We cannot praise her enough. Clearly, she is among the top professionals in her work.”
Taylor’s arrival comes at a crucial time for England’s red-ball team, especially after a disappointing Ashes series in Australia, where poor fielding led to significant losses. During the Ashes, the team dropped 11 catches, and the decision to tour without a dedicated fielding coach faced criticism.
To address these issues, England reinstated Karl Hopkinson after the Ashes, along with recalling bowling coach Troy Cooley. However, Hopkinson’s commitments in the IPL have opened the door for Taylor to take on this role for the series against New Zealand.
Throughout her 13-year international career with the England women’s team, Taylor played 226 matches and played a vital role in England’s victory at the Women’s World Cup in 2017.
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