At 35, Sarah Taylor, one of cricket’s finest wicketkeepers, is breaking new ground in coaching. With 226 England caps across all formats during her illustrious 13-year international career, Taylor has now joined the backroom staff for the England Lions, becoming the first woman to be part of an international men’s coaching setup.
Taylor has previously coached in men’s cricket with Sussex and Manchester Originals. Her new role involves working with the England Lions squad, which is set to train in South Africa. England performance director Ed Barney praised her appointment, highlighting her expertise and approach:
“She brings a wealth of experience, a unique coaching style, and has worked with some of the best male keepers in the game. We aim for diversity—not just in gender but in thought, styles, and perspectives—to build the best possible team.”
The Lions’ coaching team, led by former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, includes ex-England spinner Graeme Swann and South African greats Dale Steyn and Neil McKenzie. The squad will focus on white-ball skills and play a four-day match against South Africa A. Concurrently, Taylor will also work with England’s Under-19 Young Lions squad in South Africa, which features Rocky Flintoff, son of Andrew Flintoff, and Archie Vaughan, son of ex-England captain Michael Vaughan.
Taylor’s groundbreaking career has been marked by several firsts. In 2013, she explored the possibility of playing for the Sussex men’s second XI, and in 2015, she became the first woman to compete in Australia’s first-grade cricket, representing Northern Districts in Adelaide.
Though Taylor retired in 2019, she briefly returned to play in The Hundred for Welsh Fire in 2021. Her continued influence on and off the field demonstrates her passion for advancing cricket’s boundaries and inspiring the next generation of players—male and female alike.