Sarah Taylor joins Sussex’s coaching staff for upcoming season

Sarah Taylor, the former England women’s cricketer, has joined Sussex’s coaching panel for their upcoming season. The 31-year-old retired in 2019 after her long-standing battles with anxiety. She is regarded as one of the most fluent wicketkeepers the cricket world has ever seen.

Having last played for Surrey Stars in August 2019, the London-born is stepping into new coaching territory. In Sussex, she would be working with the likes of Ben Brown and Phil Salt. The veteran is now looking forward to her stint in coaching with the county team.

Sarah Taylor excited about the new role

“We have a really talented group of keepers at Sussex who I am looking forward to working with immensely. I want to share my experience and expertise to help them get the most out of their game. I’m a big believer in keeping things simple and perfecting the basics so that players can enjoy and express themselves with the gloves,” Taylor was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.

After hanging her boots, Taylor became a life and sports coach at Bede’s School in Eastbourne. In January, she helped launch the Sussex Cricket Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub. Former England fast bowler James Kirtley, also Sussex’s joint head coach with Ian Salisbury, has welcomed Sarah happily.

“She is hugely skilled in the world of wicket-keeping, but she will also bring so much good as a person around our group. She adds a great perspective to a situation and as a coach she provides an excellent sounding board for ideas and is a fantastic communicator. I am certain she will become a huge asset to our setup,” Kirtley said.

Sussex put forth Taylor’s appointment on Monday, March 15. They also brought in Ashley Wright, who would be working as an assistant to batting coach Jason Swift. “They both bring a huge amount of cricketing knowledge, skill, and experience, as well as a fantastic work ethic, to the entirety of our player pathway,” Salisbury stated.

As far as Taylor is concerned, she made her international debut back in 2006. In 10 Tests, 126 ODIs, and 90 T20Is she notched over 6,000 runs with seven tons and 36 half-centuries. In her 13-year career, she also took 128 catches and effected 104 stumpings.