Sarah Taylor has added another groundbreaking milestone to her remarkable cricket journey by becoming the first woman to join England’s men’s coaching staff. ECB Director of Cricket Rob Key made the announcement on Wednesday 13
Taylor’s rise in coaching has been rapid and influential since her retirement in 2019. In 2021, she became the first female specialist coach in men’s county cricket when Sussex County Cricket Club appointed her wicket coach. Later that year, she made history again by doing so becoming the first female coach in men’s franchise cricket after joining the Abu Dhabi team in the T10 League.
Taylor has since worked in several settings, including Manchester Originals and the England Lions programme, where she has earned praise for her goal expertise and ability to mentor young players. Taylor has also become an important figure in the Women’s Premier League. She joined Gujarat Giants as fielding coach ahead of the 2026 season and strengthened the coaching staff under Michael Klinger.
On Taylor joining England men’s cricket, Key said: “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 Ed Barney (chief executive). They can’t speak highly enough of her. So from what we can see, she’s one of the best in the business.”
THE INCREDIBLE CAREER OF SARAH TAYLOR
Before entering coaching, Taylor built one of the most illustrious playing careers in the history of women’s cricket. On her England debut in 2006 as a teenager, she changed the standard of wickets with a lightning-quick glove and attacking bat. Across formats, Taylor represented England in 10 Tests, 126 ODIs and 90 T20Is, scoring over 6,500 international runs with seven centuries and 38 half-centuries.
Taylor was central to England’s most successful era in women’s cricket. She helped England win the 2009 ODI World Cup, 2009 T20 World Cup and 2017 ODI World Cup at Lord’s.
In the memorable 2017 final against India, Taylor scored a vital 45 to help England secure a dramatic nine-run victory. Individually, she was named the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in 2014 and was widely regarded as the best wicketkeeper in the women’s game during her prime.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
13 May 2026 22:06 IST
