Cricket history: English international Sarah Taylor to be first female cricketer to play in men’s A-Grade team
NOW this is a game changer ... English international cricketer Sarah Taylor will make history on Saturday, becoming the first woman to play a men’s A-Grade match in Australia - when she bats for Northern Districts.
AN ENGLISH international cricketer will make history on Saturday, becoming the first woman to play a men’s A grade match in Australia.
Northern Districts Cricket Club has selected Sarah Taylor for its season-opening two-day competition game against Port Adelaide at Salisbury Oval.
No woman has ever played in SA’s elite men’s competition since it began in 1897 and it is believed no female has done so in any other states, except for one in Twenty20s.
Taylor, the reigning Women’s One-Day International Cricketer of the Year and a member of the SA Scorpions in the national women’s competition, was surprised to learn she was a trailblazer but looked forward to the challenge awaiting her.
“There’s a combination of nerves and excitement,” Taylor, 26, said.
“I’ve always wanted to push myself and check where I’m at in terms of my cricket.
“It was only last night someone told me I was the first in the entirety of Australia to do it, which was a little bit of a shock and I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.”
London-born Taylor, who has played eight Tests, 98 One-Day Internationals and 73 Twenty20s for England, has been chosen as a wicketkeeper and to bat at number eight.
She has not set herself any performance goals.
Nor does she plan to fire back at any potential sledgers.
“I just want to build that respect that I’m not a girl, I’m just another player.
“I’m expecting more bounce, quicker bowling and it’s a bigger ball as well.
“If I get any (sledging), that’s just part and parcel of the game, you’ve just got to accept it.
“If they do, it’s a bit of respect because they’re treating me like one of the other players.”
Taylor, the second-ranked batter in women’s ODI cricket, has lined up alongside men before.
She played for junior boys teams in England then rose through the ranks in male squads at Brighton College.
“I was lucky there was another girl in the team — she was bowling and I was keeping, and we’d remind the batsmen they were surrounded by girls.”
Two years ago, Taylor played for Walmley in the Birmingham and District Premier League — one of England’s strongest club competitions.
“(Batting against men) I’ve been absolutely fine.
“Ultimately, I have to back myself — I can’t be negative in any way.”
Taylor, a winner of ODI and Twenty20 World Cups, said her own family had wished her luck.
“They want me to do well and keep reminding me to wear as many pads as possible.”
Taylor will enter the groundbreaking match in form after smashing 101 in the Scorpions’ first match of the season against New South Wales on October 10.
While she is the first to play A grade in SA, former Australian captain Karen Rolton featured in several B and C grade matches for Port Adelaide during the early 2000s.
Taylor hoped her selection would lead to more opportunities for women in men’s cricket.
“It shows that if you’re good enough, doors will open.”
Northern Districts cricket director Sean Watt said Taylor’s selection had been endorsed by state talent manager Tim Nielsen and ex-Redbacks coach Darren Berry, now part of the Jets’ coaching panel.
“She’s got there on merit — she’s the best keeper/batter we have at the club,” Watt said.
“We’re super confident she’ll do well.”
Watt said Taylor’s new teammates were very supportive and “just want to play with the best players”.
Cricket Australia team performance manager Pat Howard said Taylor was one of the world’s most talented players and was up for the challenge.