Female England cricketer could make history on men's team

Sarah Taylor in talks to become 1st woman to play at England's highest men's level

The Associated Press

Posted: Jan 14, 2013 1:12 PM ET

Last Updated: Jan 14, 2013 3:13 PM ET

England's Sarah Taylor, left, will play for a men's club team in Birmingham this year but could be on standby if Sussex needs a wicketkeeper at short notice. (Eranga Jayawardena/Associated Press)

One of England's top female cricketers could become the first woman to play for a men's English county side after holding talks with Sussex about becoming the backup wicketkeeper for its second team.

Sarah Taylor says Sussex contacted the women's national-team coach Mark Lane about using her next season.

Taylor told the Guardian newspaper on Monday that "there's part of me doubting myself ... but I would love to do it."

Taylor will play for a men's club team in Birmingham this year but could be on standby if Sussex needed a wicketkeeper on short notice.

The 23-year-old Taylor, who is about to leave for the 50-over World Cup in India, says it is a "daunting" prospect, but "it's brilliant that [Lane] backs me to do it in men's cricket."

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