Former England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor will take on a groundbreaking role with the men’s national side after being appointed as fielding coach for next month’s Test series against New Zealand.
Taylor, a World Cup winner in 2017, has been part of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s coaching set-up for a couple of years and worked as an assistant coach for the Lions in Australia this winter under Andrew Flintoff.
But her new role with Ben Stokes’ side is a watershed moment, marking the 36-year-old out as the most senior female coaching appointment for a major England men’s team.
It is not her first time smashing through glass ceilings. She was once called ‘the best wicketkeeper in the world’ by the great Adam Gilchrist, who made it clear he was speaking without reference to gender, joined the Sussex coaching staff in 2021 and was drafted by Hundred franchise Manchester Originals the following season. Back in 2015, she even earned the distinction of becoming the first woman to play first-grade cricket in Australia when she took the gloves for Northern Districts.
She will work with Jamie Smith and James Rew in the three-match series against the Black Caps, with previous fielding consultant Carl Hopkinson involved at the Indian Premier League with Mumbai Indians.
Rob Key, managing director of men’s cricket, said: “She’s done a lot of work in the Lions. We’ve been thoroughly, unbelievably impressed with her and the way that she goes about her business.
“I just think she’s one of the best in the business at what she does. She’s been outstanding, and she’s worked a lot with Andrew Flintoff and (performance director) Ed Barney. They can’t speak highly enough of her.
“So from what we can see, she’s one of the best in the business. She’s stepped up to come and do this and she’ll continue to work with the Lions when that’s required. She’ll be someone that we’ll definitely look at and continue to use.”
One of Taylor’s former international team-mates, Alex Hartley, has previously worked as spin coach for Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League, with Ireland’s Cath Dalton also on staff as fast bowling coach.
In football, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham has previously spoken encouragingly about the idea that Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman could one day take charge of the England men’s team.
Marie-Louise Eta was named as interim boss of Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin in April, while further down the English pyramid Hannah Dingley was briefly in charge of Forest Green on a caretaker basis in the summer of 2023.
Even further back, former British tennis number one Andy Murray became the first elite level male player to employ a female coach, working with Amelie Mauresmo from 2014-2016.
