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ShareClaire Taylor, the first woman to find a place in Wisden, talks to DNA on why she chose cricket over hockey or a well-paid MNC job and the secret behind England's World Cup success.
What does it mean to have your name in the Wisden's Cricketers of the Year list?
It's a huge honour to be included in the Wisden Cricketers of the Year; to be on the list with some of the greats of the game is a big step for women's cricket. A number of women have had a massive influence on the game in England (Enid Bakewell, Rachael Heyhoe Flint and Jan Britten in recent years)... To be the first one to be recognised in this way is amazing.
You knew about being included in the list long before it was announced. How did you manage to keep it to yourself and focus on the game?
I tried to treat the news in the same way that I have reacted to being No.1 in the ICC world batting rankings: I tried to forget it! Things like these, which come as a product of the way you play your cricket, can be distracting.
Who was the first one you confided in after Wisden informed you about it?
I didn't confide in anyone. I spoke to my parents after the release had gone out to let them know which radio and TV programmes they needed to listen but that was all.
In the 2009 World Cup, England steamrolled every opponent. What was the secret?
There's no secret: Team spirit was the key ingredient to our success. Across a group of players and management, spirit leads to greater connection and commitment to team goals. It leads to players challenging each other and a desire to better yourself to help the team. Once you start winning, it becomes a habit, an expectation.
Women's cricket doesn't have too many tours or tournaments around the year. What do you do in free time?
Free time? There's not much of that. When I'm not on tour or preparing for a tour or training, I'm working. I work as a management consultant for an organisation within the higher education sector. Depending on how much time is committed to touring I might work for them 50 per cent of a full time job or as much as 75 per cent. The work is project based and flexible.
You actually quit an MNC job for cricket. Has the risk paid off?
Definitely. Although there have been ups and downs, now that I have the right balance between work and cricket and my other hobbies, I'm very happy.
You have the most number of centuries in ODI. Do you think the recognition could have come a bit earlier?
Recognition is not why I play the game; I love scoring runs and helping my team win games. It's certainly not for me to think that this kind of recognition could, or should have come earlier.
You credited your turnaround to coach Mark Lane. What did he work on?
We've built a game around my strengths and worked to minimise the impact of my weaknesses. We talk a lot about the tactical aspects of the game, how to score runs against different attacks, how to move the field around etc.
You have represented England in U-17, U-19 hockey. Why did you choose cricket?
The university that I attended offered far more opportunities for high class cricket than hockey so ultimately my choice of sport was made by my choice of university.
How would you describe the last year for women's cricket -- ICC recognising it, rankings for players, T20 World Cup and now your name in Wisden?
It's been a brilliant year. The kudos has increased and the media coverage of the game is growing.
Do you think women should also be considered for various cricket leagues that are being played?
If by cricket leagues you mean the IPL, Pro20 or ICL, then at the moment I don't think we can hope to match the men for depth of players. There's still some way before there are enough great women players around the world to support that type of league...
What about your post-retirement plan?
A good job to get me a bigger house with a bigger garden so that I can have a puppy! In all seriousness, I'd like to find myself a new challenge, one that will offer me the chance to meet as many good people and visit as many beautiful places. It will be really hard to replace the buzz from the team environment but I'm sure I'll enjoy finding out how.
If given a chance to stay alone with a partner of your choice on an isolated island, who would it be and why?
Rationally I'd pick Bear Grylls (British Adventurer) since he'd know enough to keep us alive. Irrationally I'd pick Dawn French (British comedy actress) since whatever happens I'll be laughing!
