Sarah Taylor of England leaves the field after being dismissed during the first Natwest T20 match of the Women’s Ashes Series between England Women and Australia Women at The Essex County Ground on August 26, 2015 in Chelmsford, England.
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Taylor has played the men’s game before, when she was in the Walmley side in the District Premier League in England.
“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”.
Speaking with cricket.com.au on Thursday, the 26-year-old said she was “nervous and excited” about making her debut.
But Taylor said: ‘I’m just grateful for everything they have done.
“I was at the Giants for five years and made a lot of good mates, but I thought it was best for me and my footy that I made the change”.
No woman has played in the competition and none has done so in a two-day match in any men’s A-grade tournament in the country. Sarah Taylor was the first female cricketer achieving this feat from England.
“One day there might be a girl who comes through and doesn’t want to play women’s cricket, and wants to see how far she can go in the men’s game”. Former Australia fast bowler Cathryn Fitzpatrick played one Twenty20 match for the Dandenong club in Victoria in 2006-07.
It is not the first time that the second-ranked batter in women’s ODI cricket has lined up alongside men.
The sight of women playing in what was traditionally men-only cricket has gradually become more common in England over the past 20 years. “I am sure that Sarah will learn a great deal playing first grade cricket this winter, alongside featuring in the Women’s Big Bash League for Adelaide Strikers”.
Cricket Australia General Manager Team Performance Pat Howard said Taylor’s selection could be precedent setting, setting a path for other female players.
“We are very proud that our women’s domestic competitions are arguably the strongest in the world and our ability to attract world-class players such as Sarah is testament to that”.
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As well as playing for Northern Districts, and preparing for the Big Bash with Adelaide Strikers, Taylor is also playnig 50-over state cricket for the Breezair SA Scorpions in the Women’s National League.
