Charlotte Edwards believes Sarah Taylor should bat at five for England
Edwards also covered Tammy Beaumont's renaissance, changes required in the English domestic set-up and gulf between the big three in Women's internationals and the rest of the world
Sunday 9 June 2019 16:13, UK
Charlotte Edwards believes wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Taylor should drop down from No 3 to No 5 in one-day internationals following a poor run of form with the bat.
Taylor has three single-figure scores and a high-score of 10 in the first four ODIs she played in this calendar year, falling for four in England's victory over the West Indies in the first home match of the summer at Grace Road.
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Edwards, who captained Taylor in the international side for more than 10 years, feels current skipper Heather Knight is the team's best batter and should move up to No 3.
"I would be inclined to drop Taylor down to No 5 and put Heather Knight - who I think is England's best player - at No 3 and Nat Sciver at No 4," Edwards told Sky Sports Cricket.
"Taylor at No 5, away from the new ball, is what I think will happen come the end of the summer. Sarah is not the best player in the team anymore - one of the best but not the best. That, I think, is Knight.
"There are a number of young batters that are performing really, really well - and Taylor has scored 21 runs in five ODIs this year.
"She needs a score, even a 30 or 40, to settle her down but I think her career stats stand up and Australia do rate her. We are a better team with her in the team.
"She has struggled with her form and I think this summer is going to be big for her. For the first time in a long time, her form hasn't been great and she will be under a lot of pressure with the young batters coming through.
"I hope England stick with her and give her the chance to show what she can do."
In a wide ranging discussion, Edwards also spoke to Rob Key and Nick Knight about;
- Opener Tammy Beaumont's renaissance and the positive effect head coach Mark Robinson has had on her.
- The changes to the English domestic set-up that are required.
- The gulf between Australia, England and India and the rest of countries in women's cricket and the subsequent lack of competitiveness.
- Why a limited amount of Test cricket is played in Women's cricket and the need for more red-ball cricket internationally.
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You can watch every match of England Women's series against West Indies and Australia live on Sky Sports Mix (channel 121) this summer.
