In a time when, when men in English cricket are finding it increasingly difficult for winning matches for the nation, their female counterparts have been doing just that to enhance England’s image in international cricket. The women cricket team made it to the top in the World Cup final when they defeated New Zealand in Australia earlier this month. And now with Claire Taylor’s selection as one of the five cricketers of the year by the Wisden Cricketers' Almanac comes as the recognition of the fact that women’s form of the sport in the country is progressing at a faster pace than the men’s. “The England women have been the pride of the nation as far as cricket is concerned in recent years, and Claire's nomination as a Cricketer of the Year is testament to the sterling effort the ladies have consistently put in.” reasoned Scyld Berry, the editor of Wisden Cricketers' Almanac.
A seemingly proud Taylor, who decided to switch from international hockey to international cricket after watching the England team walking away with the world cup trophy in 1993, said, “It is an absolute honor to be part of the pantheon of players who have graced Wisden,”. The fine cricketer who studied Mathematics at Oxford and played in The Queen’s College men’s first XI, have also paid the price of being woman cricketer through various phases of her career; she had faced prejudices and intimidation but they have actually helped her evolve as a better player. . “Sometimes guys try to bowl bouncers at your head, but once they see you can play, they soon start bowling properly at you,” she said.
The four other players named as cricketers of the year for 2009 are the England fast bowler James Anderson, and the South Africans Dale Benkenstein, Mark Boucher, and Neil McKenzie. And Taylor marked her place with four other nominees on the merit of her performance and not as a chivalrous gesture from the Almanac. “There is no element of political correctness... The best cricketers in the country should be recognized, irrespective of gender.” Berry makes it clear. And why not! In her eight years’ international cricket career for England, she had scored hundreds twelve times; with the highest cricket score of 156 not out against India at Lord’s in 2006. And till date this is the highest cricket score made on the Victorian ground by any batsman - Viv Richards made only138 for West Indies in 1979. Her 324 runs at 64.80 were instrumental in earning England a four wicket victory against New Zealand in Sydney to win the World Cup for the first time since 1993. When early in 2008, England’s women team retained the Ashes and managed to stay the entire summer undefeated, Taylor remained the key person in securing both achievements for her country. She emerged as the most successful player in women’s cricket after concluding victory in the Bowral Test.
By disposing off their funny looking culotte’s skirts and long socks, and by hugging the T-shirts and trousers like men, women’s form of the game has declared that they are ready for adopting professional cricket just as the men do. Taylor’s journey to the pinnacle only lifts the spirit of the aspiring women cricketers worldwide. “I love cricket, I love the freedom to be able to shape a game as an individual, and the tactics of it. I enjoy the risk of scoring runs against somebody who is trying to get you out. I love the challenge of that.” Taylor who is also an accomplished violinist reflects the aspiration of all great cricketers cutting across the barriers of gender or nations.
