History-maker Sarah Taylor wants to set example
Saturday 24 October 2015 12:42, UK
Sarah Taylor hopes her experience of becoming the first woman to play Grade cricket in Australia will encourage others to follow her example.
Taylor made history when she turned out for Northern Districts against Port Adelaide in a South Australian Cricket Association match played over the past two weekends.
The 26-year-old Sussex captain took two catches in Port Adelaide's innings of 318 for nine and then did not bat as Northern Districts reached the target for victory with three wickets to spare.
In the summer, England seamer Kate Cross played in the Central Lancashire League and Taylor hopes those experiences encourage other female players to make the move to the men's game.
"I hope other women follow suit," Taylor told Sky Sports News HQ. "The whole point of going out there was to improve my own skills but hopefully it has opened people's eyes that women can play at this level.
"It's a possibility. I'm the first but I hope that I won't be the last and that other girls give it a girl."
Taylor feels the experience has improved her as a cricketer and also confirmed she was not spared the sledging for which Australian cricket is renowned.
"In terms of what I've learned and what I gained from this, it was probably one of best experiences of my life," she said. "I can walk away and feel really happy with what I've done.
"In terms of the game itself and the competitive nature of it, it was the same as international cricket and it was played in the same manner. The speed of the ball was probably the only difference.
"I heard some things on the cricket field that I'd never heard before and they certainly lived up to their reputation in terms of the sledging."
