Abu Dhabi T10: Sarah Taylor to become first female coach in men's franchise league

Dubai - Former England star has been appointed Team Abu Dhabi's assistant coach

Former England wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Taylor has been named Team Abu Dhabi assistant coach for the upcoming Abu Dhabi T10 competition in a historic moment for cricket.

The appointment means that Taylor will become the first female coach in men’s professional franchise cricket when the tournament gets underway on November 19.

Widely regarded as one of the best wicketkeepers in the history of the game, Taylor became the first female specialist coach at a men’s county side with Sussex in the United Kingdom.

She now builds on that by again treading new ground with Team Abu Dhabi, and Taylor hopes that her involvement with the Abu Dhabi T10 will inspire women and girls all over the world.

“Coming into this franchise world, you get players and coaches coming in from all around the world where it may not necessarily be the norm but I’d love to think that some young girl or some woman watching can see me in the coaching team and realise that’s an opportunity and they can push for it, saying ‘If she can do it, why can’t I?’,” said Taylor.

“I do hope that it becomes a little more normal and I may be the first but I won’t be the last. Coaching is my passion and I’ve never had issues in male environments and I enjoy the challenge. You always want to prove that you’re good enough, but that’s the same for any coach going into a new environment.”

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.

Klusener is currently head coach of the Afghanistan team playing at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and his presence adds yet more world-class experience to the coaching team.

While she remains open to more playing opportunities, Taylor turned down a playing gig this winter in order to work with Team Abu Dhabi and she is looking forward to being able to pick the brains of Farbrace and Klusener.

“It came completely out of the blue and it was an amazing surprise,” she said of reading a WhatsApp from Team Abu Dhabi general manager Shane Anderson asking if she’d be interested in the post.

“I’ve been counting down the days until I can get to Abu Dhabi and get going.

“I cannot wait. As soon as I found out who the staff was, that made it even more exciting and it was a lightbulb moment that I would be stupid to miss out on the opportunity.

“I’m going to sit there with a notebook and write as much as I can down. They know that as well, and will teach me so much as I’m at the start of my coaching career.”

The Abu Dhabi T10's fifth edition takes place at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium from November 19 to December 4.

As well as announcing their coaching structure, Team Abu Dhabi also signed England international Liam Lawrence as their Icon Player, while West Indies legend Chris Gayle was retained.

Team Abu Dhabi squad: Chris Benjamin, Danny Briggs, Ahmed Daniyal, Fidel Edwards, Muhammad Farazuddin, Chris Gayle, Colin Ingram, Marchant de Lange, Liam Livingstone, Obed Mccoy, Rohan Mustafa, Naveen-ul-Haq, Phil Salt, Paul Stirling.