from
Our Sporting Life SA
A South Australian website publication that delivers a passionate and unique insight into SA Sport
By Andrew Frackowski
The South Australia Cricket Association is renowned for attracting the best
cricketers from throughout the world for many years.
England star Sarah Taylor has now joined the famous list of names to wear
the South Australian colours.
She accompanies an impressive history of recruits such as Sir Donald Bradman,
Les Favell, West Indian Sir Garfield Sobers, New Zealand's Jeff Crowe, Zimbabwe's
Andy Flower and Pakistan star Younis Kahn who have all made the trip to play
for SA.
More recently we've seen former South African and now Redbacks/Strikers captain
Johan Botha along with World T20 superstar West Indian Kieron Pollard.
Now SA women's team the Scorpions, have their own international star recruit,
England's wicketkeeper and top order batter Sarah Taylor.
SACA Chief Executive Officer Keith Bradshaw was the catalyst behind recruiting
Taylor and the English superstar is enjoying her time in the city of
churches.
"I had never been to Adelaide before and wanted to explore somewhere
new," Taylor explains.
"Keith Bradshaw was also kind enough to promise me a BBQ under the famous
Adelaide Oval Scoreboard, which he duly delivered!
"The weather has been stunning so far and from what I hear it's a little
warmer than home."
Taylor, 25, recently achieved her third consecutive International Cricket
Council (ICC) award, named 2014 Women's One Day International Cricketer of the
Year, coming as a complete surprise to her.
"It is a complete honour and was a shock when I got the news, we (England)
have had a fantastic year as a team and I am glad I could contribute.
She has also secured the 2012 and 2013 ICC T20 International Women's Cricketer
of the Year awards.
Taylor has played 90 One Day Internationals scoring 2,899 runs at an average of
39.71 including 5 centuries and 14 half centuries. She has also played 67 T20
Internationals with an impressive batting average of 30.90 and strike
rate of 108 which includes 11 half centuries.
Growing up in Seaford, a town on the South Coast of England, Taylor enjoyed a
range of sports which included football (soccer), hockey, netball and
squash to name a few.
At the age of nine, Taylor was introduced to cricket when asked to attend an
after school cricket club.
Cricket then continued for her through Telscombe Cliffs Primary School where
she progressed through to Brighton College playing First XI Boys Cricket.
She then went on to be selected for Sussex senior women's team at 14.
"When I was 15 I was asked to train with the England Academy and a few
years later got my first cap for England," she said
"It all happened so quickly."
Whilst being at Brighton College, Taylor was also in the Sussex Academy, she
believes combining College and Academy made the transition to the next level
easier.
"Doing both excelled my cricket so dramatically that it helped me perform
at
county level, which in turn got me my call up at 17." Taylor explained.
Both Taylor's brother and sister were also keen on their sport at any early
age, her brother Alex, 22, played soccer or 'real' football as she explains,
before becoming a Poker Dealer.
Her sister Becky, 26, played in Sarah's cricket team when they were short,
being capable of picking up handy wickets.
"My younger brother, used to play (real) football for the county back at
Sussex as a kid but he is now a Poker Dealer and plays the occasional football
on a Sunday," Taylor said.
"My sister Becky used to be a dancer and did feature a couple of times for
my cricket team.
The Scorpions recruit acknowledged former England coach Mark Lane as a
strong mentor.
A sporting inspiration Taylor also looked up to Tennis star Steffi Graf.
"He (Lane) kept the game simple for me and made sure enjoyment was top of
my
priorities, I have a lot to thank him for," she said.
"Steffi Graff - her attitude towards training and matches was inspiring
growing up.
"Her presence on the court set her apart from the others.
Plus she married Andre Agassi...my favourite sporting couple."
Not just a talented cricketer, off the field, Taylor is currently studying to
be an accountant but has not yet decided on her journey after cricket.
"I am actually a complete geek," Taylor said, whilst stressing she
isn't as boring as this may suggest.
"I grew up wanting to be an archaeologist.
For the moment she is grateful being a professional cricketer and the
opportunity to play throughout the world.
"You get to travel the world with your closest friends, playing the sport
you love," she said.
"I get to see amazing places and meet wonderful people that become friends
for life, and play at some of the best sporting grounds around the world.
Last week her Scorpions team notched up wins against ACT in all three games and
Taylor was instrumental in the second T20 match scoring 81* off 52 deliveries.
She is enjoying her time at the Scorpions so much that she has already
suggested returning to Adelaide as soon as next season.
"No doubt I would return, if given the opportunity I would grab it no
questions asked," Taylor continues.
"It would be amazing to see how the team progresses and how players grow
individually as cricketers and people.
"The girls are such a good bunch, they make me laugh and welcomed me with
open arms.
"They say team spirit is a great thing to have and this team has it in
abundance.
"The excitement of a women's Big Bash is also something I would love to
say I played a part in.
Taylor has already ventured in and around Adelaide and could not be happier
right now, saying she was lucky enough to go up into the Adelaide Hills.
"The Hills are just gorgeous, including the views," she said.
"Plus I am staying in the city and as a city girl at heart it doesn't get
much better."
With Taylor loves her time in Australia she was quick to respond when quizzed
about any chance we'd see her play in the Australian colours.
"That would be a firm NO," Taylor laughs off and continued.
"I'm British and extremely proud of it."
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.jpg)
