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Cricket: Women could play in men's county game - Mark Lane

Last updated on .From the section Cricketcomments86

Sarah Taylor and Arran Brindle

England women's cricket coach Mark Lane believes a female player will one day be part of a county's first team.

He also said "nothing was impossible" over whether a woman could play in the men's international game.

On Monday it was revealed England wicketkeeper

"We're always trying to test players and take them out of their comfort zone," Lane told the BBC's Test Match Special programme.

"Obviously their well-being is paramount but it is something that they can do."

Sussex have revealed that Taylor and spinner Holly Colvin have been invited to train with their second XI after the Women's World Cup. England's defence of the trophy they won in 2009 starts on 2 February against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Wicketkeeper Taylor, 23, is considered one of the best players in the women's game, and is the top-ranked batter in the International Cricket Council's Twenty20 international rankings.

Left-arm spinner Colvin, also 23, made her debut against Australia in 2005 aged just 15 becoming the youngest person ever to play in a Test Match.

Asked whether a woman could play for a county's first team, Lane said "absolutely".

Responding to a question about women's potential future involvement in the men's international game, he added: "Nothing is impossible.

"I know the regulations say they can play second XI county cricket level and I think it would be fantastic to see."

Taylor appears to have a greater chance of making an appearance for the second XI at this stage as both Sussex's academy wicketkeepers are unavailable at the start of the season.

Sussex cricket manager Mark Robinson told BBC Sussex: "We have got a hole to fill.

"It has got to be right for Sarah's personal development. She would practice with the team so she could feel comfortable with the speed of the game and the people around her.

"It's important we don't create undue expectation because that would be unfair on Sarah. If all these boxes were ticked, there's no reason whatsoever why the likes of Sarah couldn't practice and then potentially play."

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86 comments

  • Comment posted by User0301188528, at 19:27 15 Jan 2013

    Does that mean boys can play in the women's league?

  • Comment posted by mattmd11, at 15:32 15 Jan 2013

    I think Mark Robinson could have used a better choice of words when talking about a female player appearing in the second Xl - 'We have got a hole to fill'. - Made me smile anyway

  • Comment posted by os99, at 17:27 15 Jan 2013

    If she's good enough, why not?

  • Comment posted by Harriet, at 16:32 15 Jan 2013

    @5 Phillip

    I am a female cricket fan and have a lot of female friends who love cricket, I played cricket all through school and Uni so I think it is unfair to say women "don't" watch cricket.

    @Honest-to-God
    You took the words right out of my mouth. I'm a good few inches taller than Tendulkar, Bradman and Ponting!

  • Comment posted by Wah, at 17:23 15 Jan 2013

    Having played against some of the England women I think this is pretty unrealistic. Even the top players would struggle to get into my club side's first team (county premier league).

  • Comment posted by User0617302868, at 07:17 16 Jan 2013

    @44 Vishal - brilliant - that probably means our women would beat India's men 5-0 then!!!

  • Comment posted by User0241698060, at 16:36 15 Jan 2013

    "The gulf between the two is hugeeeee!"

    Well of course it is at the moment, look at the difference in exposure and funding. If women participate in the county game then that gulf will become less and less.

    The great thing about cricket is there really is no reason why men and women cannot compete against each other. Perhaps Phillip is just worried the women will show the men up!

  • Comment posted by Pip, at 17:07 15 Jan 2013

    I think the suggestion is valid if the player is of a good enough standard to play. I believe this has been suggested in order to raise the standards of the womens game even higher. Maybe BBC can afford to show us the women winning the Ashes and the one day worlds since they cant afford to show us the men. I think its high time we saw them in action and had a chance to vote with our remotes.

  • Comment posted by User0549322667, at 23:28 15 Jan 2013

    If she's good enough then she should be allowed to play - as long as it's done on merit and not as a gimmick then it's fine.

    The only concern would be what effect it will have on the women's game if their best players choose to play with the men - but she personally shouldn't have to carry that burden of worry and should just go for it if she is capable of doing so.

  • Comment posted by pgb8000, at 22:30 15 Jan 2013

    Yes, I'd be excited to see the best women in then men's game.

    I'm a bit surprised by comments asking if women can cope with bowling over 80mph. I don't think women have physiologically slower reactions than men, do they? The only real disadvantage women have is lack of power, which means they are never going to rival Steve Finn for a fast bowling place.

  • Comment posted by User0089771004, at 15:57 15 Jan 2013

    I don't think this is ever going to happen do you?

  • Comment posted by Mark, at 21:54 15 Jan 2013

    I don't understand why there's even a debate here. If a woman is good enough to play in the men's game, then why shouldn't she? I'd be very surprised if a woman is good enough to play international cricket for England, but if she is, then great!

  • Comment posted by Simon Martyn, at 17:46 16 Jan 2013

    I think slightly taken further than it was intended, given how Sussex have looked to clarify.

    At the start of the season both academy keepers who will probably be playing for the 2nd xi will still be in education, thus Sussex are considering ALL options of what to do. Taylor is one of those options.

    No point really getting a new keeper in as Sussex only want the start of the season covered!

  • Comment posted by User0241698060, at 17:00 15 Jan 2013

    Personally I think it's a great idea. I don't believe there are any specific rules in the game of cricket that says men and women cannot play in the same team, and if the women are good enough then why shouldn't they play with the men? I'm sure there are several who are good enough. Arran Brindle scored a century playing for Louth men's team in the Premier League.

  • Comment posted by Jon G, at 19:17 15 Jan 2013

    I wonder how she's going to feel when she loses her place in the women's test team, to a man from the Sussex Second XI ? :>

  • Comment posted by BBC run by tyrants 4 tyrants, at 19:10 15 Jan 2013

    The current outstanding ladies are exactly that, outstanding. Unfortunately 99% of the bowlers they are facing are not. The step up in class of the bowlers they would face would be too great.

  • Comment posted by melmoth1, at 17:41 15 Jan 2013

    If Sarah Taylor can play in a men's team then a man should be allowed play in a women's team. Exactly the same issue was raised re: women's golf, but it seems that equality only extends one way. And that is never right. Allowing women to play in men's teams is political correctness gone mad, and it will not be for the benefit of those sports but their detriment.

  • Comment posted by User0191419427, at 22:59 15 Jan 2013

    Has the most important question yet been asked...?
    Where will Ms Taylor shower and change?

  • Comment posted by User0183513851, at 20:51 15 Jan 2013

    No way, women have their own leagues for a reason And as 28 says, if they can go in the mens game then under equality law men will be allowed to play in the womens league.

  • Comment posted by User0198759209, at 20:12 15 Jan 2013

    As stated in comment 22 - Sarah Taylor is a superb keeper. I have often wondered how she would get on in the county game.
    Good luck to her.

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