Biography Claire Taylor

1 biography

1.1 life , career
1.2 international breakthrough
1.3 full-time cricketer
1.4 further development
1.5 leading batsman
1.6 double world champions
1.7 later career

biography
early life , career

samantha claire taylor born in amersham, buckinghamshire on 25 september 1975, part of sporting family: father played rugby, , mother played hockey. attended dolphin school in hurst, berkshire, played softball, participating girl in school team. taylor did not play cricket until summer camp @ age of 13, thereafter improved such level captained dolphin school cricket team, playing alongside boys. subsequently moved abbey school, reading short time, , kendrick school. although played hockey teenager, @ represented england @ under-17 , under-19 forward, began playing women s county cricket thames valley, making debut side in may 1993.

taylor awarded place @ queen s college, oxford study mathematics in 1994. @ oxford, taylor earned 3 blues hockey, , 3 half blues cricket. played college men s cricket team, included iain sutcliffe, later played on 3 hundred county cricket matches. during time @ oxford, taylor continued play thames valley, , scored maiden century in women s county championship, scoring 109 runs against lancashire , cheshire in july 1996. highest score prior innings had been 37. following year, having graduated oxford second-class honours degree, taylor scored successive half-centuries thames valley, reaching 97 against sussex, 77 against lancashire , cheshire, , unbeaten 62 against east midlands. had been making intermittent appearances england @ various age group levels previous 5 years, , in september 1997, scored 85 england under-21s against touring south african side. so, not included in team 1997 women s cricket world cup, named non-travelling reserve, taylor said confirmed me breakthrough senior squad.

international breakthrough

in april 1998, taylor travelled south africa part of england under-21 squad competed in women s inter-provincial tournament, scoring 2 half-centuries in competition. full international debut occurred later year, during fourth 1 day international (odi) between england , australia. playing specialist batsman, taylor scored 1 run during heavy defeat england. taylor finished 1998 women s county championship 2 strong batting performances: struck second century, scoring 103 runs against west, followed 65 runs against surrey. towards end of english season, kept wicket england in match against england under-21s, scoring unbeaten 45 runs. retained place in england squad series against touring indian team in 1999. england struggled in series, , taylor 1 of number of inexperienced players in squad failed seize chance , according wisden cricketers almanack report. taylor s highest score in series 12 runs, , had batting averages of 11.00 in odis, , 5.50 in solitary test match.

during subsequent english winter of 1999–2000, taylor part of touring party travelled australia , new zealand 9 odis. tour failure team: lost 9 international matches, , win warm-up match against wellington, in taylor scored 83 runs. secured half-century in second odi against new zealand, scoring 56 runs after opening innings. in series in england s batting described dismal, half-century 1 of 2 in odis during tour, , wisden reported giving taylor overdue opportunity 1 saving grace of trip. struggled runs in series against touring south africans in 2000, aggregating 68 runs 5 innings, once again english batting – particularly top order – criticised. after conclusion of series, taylor struck century in county match, scoring 115 runs berkshire against surrey.

england s slide down international ladder continued during 2000 women s cricket world cup, according wisden. batting once more culpable, taylor provided relief. scored 267 runs in tournament @ average of 66.75, ranking among top ten batsmen. struck first century in international cricket; scoring 137 not out against sri lanka. in doing so, shared partnership of 188 runs jane cassar, record fifth wicket in women s odis. england failed qualify group stage of competition.

full-time cricketer

after 2000 world cup, taylor wanted focus on desire become 1 of best batsmen in world. in order achieve this, decided become full-time cricketer. after university, had joined procter & gamble, , 2001 earning £38,000 assistant manager @ company. in contrast, income cricket totalled £7,000, , in order afford quit job, had move in parents. england s next series against world cup runners-up, australia, toured in june , july 2001. england s batting remained unreliable, , australia won 5 matches between sides: 2 test matches , 3 odis. taylor praised highlight of english batting; innings of 50 not out highest score side in of odis. in second test, improved on previous best test score of 18 runs, batting on 4 hours in gritty performance reach 137 runs. taylor missed tour of india in january 2002 after injuring knee in training session, returned following summer string of performances in super fours—a competition in england selectors place 48 leading players 4 teams—trailing england team mate charlotte edwards leading run-scorer. in 4 odis season, against new zealand , india, taylor failed make impact, scoring 43 runs in total.

taylor , charlotte edwards (pictured) england s leading run-scorers between 2000 , 2010, accumulating on 3,000 runs each.

ahead of tour england women new zealand , australia, taylor competed in state league, one-day competition in new zealand, canterbury magicians. finished tournament in top-five batsmen, scoring 252 runs @ average of 42.00. unfortunately england, form did not continue international matches: in 7 odi matches, scored 87 runs. continued struggle @ start of 2003 english domestic season, prompting wisden report had barely scraped run in county championship matches. despite struggles, survived overhaul of england squad, in 7 of players had toured australia , new zealand had been dropped. repaid faith shown in her, striking centuries in both test matches against south africa. first, score of 177 runs, highest total made in test cricket, , scored on 6 , half hours, , twelve runs short of highest england woman. 2 weeks later, became 1 of 5 women, of 2012, have scored centuries in consecutive test matches, when scored 131 runs @ taunton. performances in odi series less eye-catching, half-century in first match helped finish second laura newton england s leading run-scorer.

taylor competed in state league second consecutive year in 2004, , finished second-most runs in competition, scoring 401 runs @ average of 44.55. new zealand, travelled south africa join england team 5 odis. after scoring 90 runs in warm-up contest against invitational xi, finished england s second prolific run-scorer behind edwards, though once reached half-century in international matches. in england 2004 super fours competition, taylor , edwards once more headed batting tables, taylor narrowly trailing international team mate in terms of runs scored, ahead of on batting average, having scored 351 runs @ 87.75. in subsequent series against new zealand, taylor top-scorer in first twenty20 international match played either gender. despite quicker-scoring nature of twenty20 game, taylor praised measured batting , placement. in odis, england possessed greater depth in batting, making team less reliant on taylor , edwards performances. depth helped them win series 3–2, despite low-scoring sequence of matches taylor in averaged below twenty.

in preparation 2005 women s cricket world cup in south africa, taylor played third , final season in state league, though 229 runs @ average of 38.16 lowest achieved in year of competition. during short warm-up series against south africa, enjoyed batting success, scoring 94 , 47 in 2 odis, , unbeaten 166 runs against side gauteng , north west. after first round of matches lost rain, taylor struck highest score of tournament in england s second match, against sri lanka. scored 136 runs 128 balls, , shared century partnerships both edwards , clare connor england record large victory. made little impact against india in next match, scored 55 not out against south africa , 46 against new zealand ensure england s qualification semi-finals. cricinfo reported australia undoubted favourites semi-final clash england, , taylor 1 of side s key players contest. after loss of laura newton, taylor dismissed third duck of odi career, , england subsided five-wicket loss. finished tournament 1 of top-three batsmen both runs-scored , average, aggregating 265 runs @ 53.00.

further development

after world cup, taylor disheartened both own, , england s, lack of success. bemoaned sacrifices had made had come nothing, , after talking psychologists, realised needed readdress work–life balance. amateur violinist, accepted reading orchestra, , 2006 working out of university of reading performance management consultant.

in english summer of 2005, england hosted australia 2 test matches , 6 limited-overs contests. 2 tests formed women s ashes, accolade england had not won since 1963. in first test, taylor scored patient 35 runs in first innings, , shared partnership of 81 edwards, pair fell in quick succession, , england struggled thereafter. in second innings, england required on 300 runs win, top-order collapsed, losing 3 wickets fourteen runs. taylor suffered duck in match, , century arran brindle rescued draw side. in second test, england won secure ashes, taylor scored 43 runs in first innings england open 158-run lead. taylor finished five-match odi series england s leading run-scorer, totalling 325 runs @ average of 65.00. after hitting half-centuries in first , third matches, praised daily telegraph quality of on-driving , cutting scored 116 runs in fourth match level series 2–2.

taylor batting against india in 2011.

taylor, , england, had difficult tour of sri lanka , india in late 2005; after winning 2 odis against sri lanka, england drew test against india , lost odi series 4–1. taylor scored 76 runs in 7 odi matches, , made scores of 5 , 3 in test. re-found batting form @ start of 2006 english cricket season, topping batting averages in 2006 super fours competition, scoring 2 centuries , 2 half-centuries in 6 matches sapphires.

facing touring indians later summer, taylor made small totals in first 2 appearances @ crease, scoring 10 in twenty20 match, , 32 in first innings of solitary test. reached fourth , final century in test match in second innings, scoring 115 runs put england potentially match winning position, though match finished draw. first game of odi series featured marylebone cricket club describe taylor s finest hour in england shirt . batting @ number three, taylor called upon early, after opening batsman edwards run out in third over. dropped twice in quick succession during innings, continued reach century 110 balls. having reached milestone, scored more rapidly , remained 156 not out @ end of innings, hitting 9 fours in 151-ball innings. score highest of taylor s odi career, , joint fourth-highest total in women s odi cricket. highest score made in odi match @ lord s either gender, passing 138 runs scored viv richards in 1979.

in women s quadrangular series hosted india in 2007, taylor england s best performer bat. despite side losing 6 of group matches, finished tournament second-most runs of player, totalling 346. scored half-centuries against each of other 3 teams competing—australia, india , new zealand—and scored unbeaten 113 in first match against australia. had relatively quiet domestic season in 2007, ranking sixth amongst run-scorers in super fours, having passed 50 runs once, , despite ranking second both runs scored , batting average in county championship, taylor scored 2 half-centuries in 5 appearances in competition. england started summer 4 twenty20 matches, 1 against south africa , 3 against new zealand, in taylor made 3 scores of 20 or more, did not reach half-century. in third odi against new zealand, scored sixth century in format, 110 runs came 133 deliveries, , wisden series report suggests scoring rate slow: new zealand chased down total in fewer 36 overs. in next match, taylor scored 72 england attempted chase down 240 runs win, bowled out 43 runs short. though made small totals in other 3 matches of series, taylor finished leading run-scorer in series, though new zealand s aimee watkins had superior batting average. performances on year august 2006 resulted in taylor being shortlisted icc women s cricketer of year award, alongside australia s lisa sthalekar , eventual winner, india s jhulan goswami. during voting period, taylor scored 3 centuries , 3 half-centuries in international cricket.

leading batsman

england travelled australia , new zealand in 2008 attempting improve on previous visits. in ten odi matches in australia against hosts previously, england had managed 1 win, while against new zealand had won 3 of fifteen contests. england started badly, losing 2 of warm-up matches significant margins, , falling 21 runs short in twenty20 match opened series. taylor top-scored england in twenty20 defeat 34 runs 32 balls. made similar score in first odi match against hosts, in second match both taylor , edwards out ducks in heavy defeat england. after third match of series abandoned without play, taylor scored first half-century of tour, , shared century partnership edwards england secure 2–1 lead in series, guaranteeing @ least draw five-match contest. after australia won last odi tie series, 2 sides met @ bradman oval play test of tour. taylor , edwards again enjoyed successful partnership in england s first innings; taylor scored 79 runs pair put on 159 together. scored unbeaten half-century in second innings england retain ashes.

taylor carried form subsequent series against new zealand, starting second leg of trip half-century against new zealand in warm-up match in acting captain. england struggled in first odi however: taylor , edwards reached double figures tourists suffered 123-run loss. in following match, taylor scored seventh international century of career, remaining 111 not out england secured nine-wicket win on new zealand. scored half-century in third odi of series, , 34 runs in fifth finish england s leading run-scorer of tour, scoring 342 runs @ average of 48.85 9 odi matches in australia , new zealand.

playing in first match of berkshire s county championship campaign, taylor scored 146 runs 148 balls against nottinghamshire, out of team total of 212: no other berkshire batsman scored more 10 runs, , nottinghamshire won 6 wickets. in 2 match odi series against west indies made minimal impact, described cricinfo being @ dominant best in first match of subsequent series against south africa. struck 7 fours during 70-ball innings , scored 83 runs. in 3 remaining matches of series, made modest totals, before missing twenty20 internationals due illness. taylor reached landmark during third series of summer, making 100th odi appearance, against india. in five-match series, england won 4–0, taylor remained not out in each of 3 innings, scoring 125 runs. following series, icc introduced player rankings women s odi cricket, taylor top of batsmen.

double world champions

in 2009, england participated in both women s cricket world cup, , inaugural women s world twenty20. taylor identified 1 of england s key players in preview of tournament, , set victory england in opening match against sri lanka eighth odi century, third in successive world cup matches against sri lanka. asserted dominance once more in second match, against india, scoring quicker run ball 69 not out, england chase down modest total in under 40 overs. not required bat against pakistan, , dismissed 19 against new zealand, taylor helped secure england s place in final rapid 65 runs, including 2 sixes , 6 fours, against west indies. in england s final match of group stages, taylor top-scored 49 runs in dead rubber loss against australia: australia not qualify final, , england through. in final, having restricted new zealand 166, england ahead of required rate early. loss of wicket brought taylor crease, , played attacking innings of 21, including 4 fours, before being bowled. england won match 4 wickets, become odi world champions. taylor finished tournament leading run-scorer, having made 324 runs, , batting average highest amongst batsmen on 100 runs. 1 of 5 england players named in team of tournament.

taylor batting against sri lanka during 2009 women s world twenty20

taylor s next international action came during inaugural women s world twenty20 tournament, held in england. despite not being required bat in england s opening match against india, second prolific batsmen in competition, finishing 199 runs, 1 less new zealand s aimee watkins. in group stage match against sri lanka, taylor achieved highest score in twenty20 international cricket, making unbeaten 75. 5 days later, improved on score, reaching 76 not out against australia in semi-finals. batting beth morgan, pair maintained run-rate of 10 runs on secure england s place in final. facing new zealand in final, england dismissed opponents 85 runs, laboured total; taylor top-scored side 39 not out, , england player score faster run ball. taylor named player of tournament, , having been dismissed once, finished batting average of 199.00. in england s subsequent series against australia, taylor struggled runs, scoring 79 runs across 4 odi innings, , being dismissed under 20 runs in each innings of test match. opted miss tour of west indies in late 2009 focus on work commitments.

later career

taylor returned action england in 2010 women s world twenty20, hosted west indies. england, , taylor, struggled in competition. victory came against south africa, after had been eliminated tournament. taylor scored 24 runs in tournament @ average of 8.00. later summer, england hosted new zealand. taylor finished england s leading run-scorer in odi series, scoring 166 runs @ average of 41.50, including half-centuries in 2 of matches. in next series, tour of sri lanka, taylor started strongly; scoring 73 runs in narrow victory against hosts, failed achieve double figures in innings remainder of tour. taylor sustained shoulder injury during second warm-up match of subsequent tour of australia, ruled out of rest of visit.

her injury had healed start of 2011 season, taylor failed make significant impact on england s first 2 matches of twenty20 quadrangular series, against new zealand , australia. in third match however, espncricinfo s liam brickhill claimed roared form 66 runs 46 balls england big win on india. england won tournament, closely followed equivalent odi quadrangular. taylor made @ least 30 runs in 3 of 4 innings of tournament finish among top run-scorers in series, won england. @ conclusion of series, taylor announced retirement international cricket. finished career batting averages in excess of 40 in both test , odi cricket, , @ time of retirement trailed charlotte edwards in odi runs scored. continued represent berkshire until conclusion of 2011 season.

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