The England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor will this weekend become the first woman to play grade cricket in Australia.
Taylor will feature on Saturday for Northern Districts Cricket Club against Port Adelaide in the South Australian Cricket Association competition, which has been played only by men since its inception in 1897.
The 26-year-old Sussex women’s captain will line up alongside Mark Cosgrove of South Australia and Leicestershire and the former Hampshire batsman Joe Gatting – nephew of ex-England captain Mike Gatting – at the Salisbury Oval.
“I’m really excited about this opportunity – it’s completely unexpected and offers another new challenge and environment for me to test my skills against some very strong cricketers,” said Taylor, who has also signed to play for Adelaide Strikers in the inaugural edition of the Women’s Big Bash League this winter, and is currently playing 50-over state cricket for the Breezair SA Scorpions in the Women’s National Cricket League.
“I had no idea that I would be the first woman to play at this level in Australia, but I am sure that I won’t be the last. I have grown up playing boys’ cricket at Brighton College and more recently in the ECB men’s premier league for Walmley CC, so I am used to playing with the guys.”
Clare Connor, the ECB’s director of England women’s cricket, said: “It’s great news that Sarah will get the chance to play at this level. Much has been spoken and written about Sarah’s wicketkeeping prowess and I’m sure that this standard of cricket will enhance her skills and reputation further.
“We are always looking for new avenues to challenge the England women’s players, and playing top-level Australian men’s club cricket will certainly be a brilliant test of Sarah’s abilities.
“For England women to be successful on the international stage we need to make sure that they are being exposed to high-pressure and high-quality cricket environments. I am sure that Sarah will learn a great deal playing grade cricket this winter.”
Earlier this year the England fast bowler Kate Cross became the first woman to play in the 123-year-old Central Lancashire League.
