Sarah Taylor: Former England wicketkeeper joins Sussex coaching staff

Former England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor has joined Sussex as a wicketkeeping coach.

As well as senior wicketkeepers Ben Brown and Phil Salt, Taylor will also coach the county’s academy players.

“Hopefully it’s a chance for people to see women deserve a place in men’s cricket,” she told the BBC.

“As soon as I walked through the door, they didn’t care that I was a woman, they knew what I was there to do and they were great. I do like pushing the boundaries and breaking glass ceilings. I may be the first but I will not certainly be the last.”

Taylor, who retired from international cricket in 2019 because of anxiety, helped England win two 50-over World Cups in 2009 and 2017, as well as a T20 World Cup, also in 2009.

She was also on the winning side in three of the five Ashes series she played in.

After making her international debut in 2006 as a 17-year-old, she went on to claim 232 dismissals in the international game to be regarded as one of the world’s best wicketkeepers.

Taylor says she is “not fully retired” from playing cricket yet, adding: “If the opportunity presents itself, I’ll have to think about it, but I’m just enjoying being behind the scenes and helping other people with what I’ve learned. Hopefully I can give back to the game.”

“Sarah has so much to offer our players, but also our environment,” Kirtley said.

“She’s hugely skilled in the world of wicketkeeping, but she will also bring so much good as a person around our group.

“She adds great perspective to a situation and as a coach she provides an excellent sounding board for ideas and is a fantastic communicator. I’m certain she will become a huge asset to our setup.”

Taylor also now coaches at Bede’s School in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

Sussex have also confirmed the appointment of former Leicestershire player Ashley Wright as an assistant batting coach.