Setting a new ground for the men’s T10 league with her appointment as the assistant coach of Team Abu Dhabi, former England player Sarah Taylor says she is the “last woman to do anything in the franchise” cricket. I don’t want to be known.
Widely regarded as one of the best wicket-keepers around, Taylor has been named assistant coach of Team Abu Dhabi at a breakthrough moment in men’s professional franchise cricket for the Abu Dhabi T10 League starting 19 November.
“I’m hoping it’s a step forward now. Women will get jobs and roles like this and it will seem extremely normal. Yes, women can get these roles, and hopefully, it will continue,” Taylor said on Sunday. During an interaction, I should be seen only as a coach and not as a women’s coach.
“It means a lot. I was stunned by the opportunity. I am counting down the days until I am able to fly and go to Abu Dhabi. I want to be known as a good coach “
Taylor, who will work in Team Abu Dhabi with head coach Paul Farbrace and former South African all-rounder Lance Klusener, said working as a specialist coach in the English county of Sussex was a great learning experience.
“Yes, Sussex (was) such a good learning curve for me. The way I am dealing with people. This is my first proper coaching. I have learned a lot from it. I have very good mentors in this regard. And they have supported me.
“Who knows what it will mean for me in the future. But I’m loving every single minute of it, I’m going to embrace it. Hopefully I’m not the last woman to really do anything in a franchise game,” said the 32-year-old.
Taylor, who is following in the footsteps of Julia Price, who took on the role of assistant coach for Brisbane Heat in December 2019, said she would like to see “women’s coaches with aspirations to work in the men’s game.”
“Me and Julie (Price) are there, and I hope there will be more,” she continued.
Speaking about the mental health of athletes and taking a break from the sport, the former England cricketer said she is glad that more and more people are ready to “go away” and come back stronger.
“I mean a lot more players are willing to speak up. Even like Ben Stokes, he’s a big name in the game, he’s stepped up a little bit. I think it’s becoming more common. I’m glad people are moving on and hope it gets back to normal.”
Taylor said that coaching was her passion and she was excited about the role.
“Coaching is my passion… my dream. Coaching is where I want to continue,” she said, adding that she hopes to learn from her stint in the T10 league in Abu Dhabi.
About working with West Indies superstar Chris Gayle, who is a part of Team Abu Dhabi, she said, “I mean look, I will sit back and enjoy watching Chris. This is a serious team. I’ll just embrace it. I’m sure Chris will be a very funny guy.”
Taylor said the T10 format was probably the best fit if cricket is to be made a part of the Olympics.
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