“Looking to embrace the environment and enjoy the Abu Dhabi T10,” says Sarah Taylor

Former England wicket-keeper batter Sarah Taylor, who has made history after becoming the first female coach in men’s professional franchise cricket, expressed during a virtual conference on Sunday that she has always liked to be the first in everything. Taylor, who won two ICC Women’s World Cups, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and represented England 226 times over the course of a stellar playing career, will serve as assistant to head coach Paul Farbrace for Team Abu Dhabi, who have also secured the services of former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener.

“My family will always tell you that I always like to be the first at everything. I don’t like to do the same things as everyone else. My time as a specialist coach at Sussex (men’s county side) has been such a good learning curve for me. I have very good mentors and they have backed me 100 percent to do this role as well. I will grab this opportunity with open arms,” said the assistant coach.

Taylor added that she will try and learn as much as possible during her experience at the Abu Dhabi T10, “I have been talking a lot with Paul and coaching staff about how we want to go about things. I will be learning a lot; I know that much. I am going to be an absolute sponge, trying to get as much information as possible and take a lot away from the tournament. I just want to go out there and enjoy the tournament because it’s going to be an amazing occasion.”

While speaking about the differences in men’s and women’s cricket, Taylor said, “I think there’s a slight difference between how the men cricketers deal with things and the women cricketers deal with things, but the game is exactly the same. It might be slightly quicker in the men’s game, but the fundamentals are exactly the same. I wouldn’t organize different training regimes for men and women.”

When asked about the opportunity of working with Chris Gayle in the Team Abu Dhabi set-up, she said “I would probably be working with the wicket-keepers in the team and I would probably just sit back and enjoy Chris go about his business. I am just going to embrace the environment. I am sure Chris will be a very very funny guy. I have met him before, so it’ll be nice to see him again.”

Speaking about becoming the first female coach in men’s professional franchise cricket, Taylor said, “I am hoping that coaches for men’s cricket will be chosen from a pool of men and women coaches in the future. I hope we are not thought of as female coaches and we are just thought of coaches.”

Abu Dhabi T10 will be played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi from 19 November – 4 December 2021.
About Abu Dhabi T10

Abu Dhabi T10 brings together over 120 of world cricket’s biggest names to compete in the game’s fastest format.

The fifth edition of this highly popular cricket spectacular will be held over 15 days from November 19-December 4, 2021 taking in the UAE’s 50th National Day weekend. Past Abu Dhabi T10 champions include the Kerala Kings, Maratha Arabians and Northern Warriors.