Sarah Jane Taylor, born on May 20, 1989, is an English cricketer and cricket coach. She had an illustrious career, appearing in 10 Test matches, 126 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 90 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for England. Known for her free-flowing stroke play, Taylor was a wicket-keeper-batter who opened the batting in limited-overs matches and batted in the middle order in Test cricket.
Taylor made history as the fastest cricketer, male or female, to earn their first international cap in all three formats of the game. She achieved this remarkable feat in just nine days against India in 2006. From the very beginning of her career, Taylor demonstrated her exceptional talent and determination.
Her inclusion, along with her future England teammate Holly Colvin, in the Brighton College boys’ team caused some controversy within the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). Nevertheless, Taylor’s skills and contributions to the team quickly dispelled any doubts about her abilities.
On June 30, 2009, Taylor scored an impressive 120 runs at a run-a-ball rate in an ODI against Australia at Chelmsford. This innings surpassed Enid Bakewell’s record of 118 runs in 1973, becoming the highest individual score by an Englishwoman against Australia.
Taylor further etched her name in cricket history on August 8, 2008, when she broke the record for the highest opening partnership in women’s ODI cricket. She achieved this feat alongside Caroline Atkins, with a stunning partnership of 268 runs against South Africa at Lord’s. Taylor’s contribution to the partnership was an exceptional innings of 129 runs.
Continuing her streak of accomplishments, Taylor became the youngest woman cricketer to score 1000 runs in ODIs on September 1, 2008. She achieved this milestone during England’s dominant 10-wicket victory against India, remaining unbeaten on 75 when the target was reached. Notably, Taylor reached the 1000-run mark in just 16 innings.
Taylor’s success extended to the international stage, where she played a significant role in England’s victories at the 50-over World Cup in Australia and the World T20 in 2009. However, she faced personal challenges that led her to withdraw from the England tours of 2010 and 2011, including the Ashes match in Australia.
Despite these challenges, Taylor’s talent and dedication were recognized with numerous awards and honors. She was honored as the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year in both 2012 and 2013. In 2014, she was named the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, cementing her status as one of the best players in the world.
Taylor’s achievements extended beyond the cricket field. In 2015, she became the first woman to be inducted into the Legends Lane at the County Cricket Ground in Hove. Additionally, that same year, she made history by becoming the first woman to play men’s grade cricket in Australia, a testament to her skill and determination.
Throughout her career, Taylor’s contributions to women’s cricket have been invaluable. Her achievements have not only inspired a new generation of female cricketers but also paved the way for greater recognition and opportunities for women in the sport. A true trailblazer, Sarah Taylor has left an indelible mark on women’s cricket and continues to inspire future generations with her exceptional talent and unwavering passion for the game.
Awards:
– ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2012, 2013)
– ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2014)
– Inducted into the Legends Lane at the County Cricket Ground in Hove (2015)