The current ICC ODI cricketer of the year Sarah Taylor is on the cusp of becoming the first female player to play in a men’s A-grade, two-day cricket match in Australia.
She would be playing for the Northern Districts, as they would take on Port Adelaide in South-Australia’s elite men’s competition.
Taylor, who has represented the England women’s team for 98 ODIs and 73 T-20s, would become the second woman after Catherine Fitzpatrick who played in a T-20 match for Dandenong club in Victoria in 2006, to take part in a men’s match.
Taylor, who made her debut way back in 2006 at 17, had achieved a great deal for her country including the 2009 Women’s World Cup and the T-20 World Cup the very same year.
She was also a part of the English side that made it to the finals of 2012 T-20 World Cup.
Taylor has played the men’s game before, when she was in the Walmley side in the District Premier League in England. However her talents are not just limited to the cricket pitch – she has form on the football field also.
Taylor signed for the Adelaide Strikers in Australia’s inaugural Women’s T-20 competition to be held later this year.
Taylor has said “I always wanted to push myself and check where I was in terms of playing cricket”.
“I had no idea I would be the first woman [to play a match against the men] but I’m sure I wouldn’t be the last.”
Nothern Districts team director Sean Watt told BBC World Service, “She’s the best option. The B and C grade cricketers are disappointed to miss out but they understand the calibre and skill she’s got.”
It has been reported she would bat at no 8 in the Districts’ batting order.
JoM
Roar Rookie
I think it is great that she is getting a go at this, but I can't ever see any of the girls playing in a men's test team. None of them would be really able to handle the pace of someone like Starc or Johnson or Cummins or Pattinson, those kind of pace bowlers and there's no way the boys will slow it down because there is a female at the other end. 6 or 7 years ago we had the World Cup for women out here and they got some of the younger guys from the state squads to be net bowlers, 14 years old was the maximum and even then the 14 year olds were only for the better teams like Australia, England, NZ and WI at that time. All the rest of the teams got the younger bowlers, rep kids and other female bowlers. My son bowled at the Aussie's for a few sessions and the rest of the time the cup was on he bowled at the Kiwi girls. After each training session they thanked him for the bruises he gave them, sore though they were. With all due respect to these girls, if they can't handle a 14 year old even though he was a pretty quick 14 year old, then no way could they handle the pace of some of these guys.
Amrit
Roar Guru
Didn't get the chance to bat I assume, Port Adelaide batted first
Amrit
Roar Guru
Hopefully one day Charlotte Edwards , Meg Lanning and as you've said Perry should play
Mike Dugg
Roar Rookie
Great news. She will be playing at the top very soon
Timmuh
Roar Guru
If memory served she was in line for a second eleven count gig a few years back, but I don't believe she ever got to play at that level. Good luck to her, like every sportsperson she wants to push herself and see what she is capable of.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
I am delighted with the news that Sarah Taylor will play for a men's A grade team. Few years ago when Australia's Test (men's) team was doing badly, I had suggested in one of my columns for The Roar that Ellyse Perry be picked for them. She is a wonderful talent. Good article, Amritangshu.
JGK
Roar Guru
Any word on how she went?
Bearfax
Guest
If she's good enough, I see no problem. Same with any woman wanting to play in what is the men's domain of cricket. Other than the strength issue, I see no other reason women shouldnt be able to get a spot in an A Grade team, if they are competitively good enough and the only way we'll know is if more women are allowed to try out. If they are not up to it, then just like men who arent up to the standard, they dont get picked.