Taylor’s first steps back lift England
DANNI WYATT summed it all up: “She took a catch off my bowling and it was just like the olden days – I gave her a big hug and said, ‘well done’.”
Sarah Taylor’s return to the England fold last month was something to savour for all of her team-mates.
Talented wicketkeeper/batter Taylor, 27, took nearly a year out of the game due to anxiety but, after initially being left out of England’s training camp in the UAE last month, she rejoined her international colleagues for the first time since taking an indefinite break from the game.
Taylor featured in an internal match between England squad members while also playing in the second of three 50-over warm-up matches against Ireland at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, scoring an unbeaten 26 from 24 deliveries.
With mental health, particularly in the world of professional sport, rightfully being broached more directly in recent years, allrounder Wyatt, 26, was delighted with the way that England welcomed Taylor back with open arms – both figuratively and literally.
“We’re all really proud of her,” said Wyatt, who first represented England at ODI and T20 level in 2010.
“When we first saw her, we all went up to speak to her and ask her how she was, because the worst thing you can do is not talk about it.
“She didn’t talk all that much but she was relaxed and focused, which was great.
“I remember what happened when we were playing one of the games between ourselves. She took a catch off my bowling and it was just like the olden days.
“I gave her a big hug and said, ‘well done’.
“It was great to play with her again and you just have to leave her to it if she has a panic attack – she knows how to deal with it.
“We’ll have to wait and see if she’s ready to come back properly. We’re an even better team if she does come back, but it’s her decision.”
Staffordshire-born Wyatt, who plays her County Championship cricket for Sussex, is currently working towards featuring in a second World Cup, having been part of the England squad that finished third in India, in 2013.
On June 24, England will enjoy home advantage as they look to regain the trophy they lifted in 2009, with Heather Knight’s side taking on India at the County Ground in Derby.
Wyatt reckons that she did her chances of being selected by coach Mark Robinson this summer little harm with her performances in the UAE, particularly with her unbeaten knock of 82 against Ireland in the final game on April 28.
“Ireland had a bit of a development team out in that last game, so I was told not to just whack it, even though T20 is my game,” said Wyatt, who also featured as her country made the semi-finals of the last year’s World T20.
“I had to take my time and hit the bad balls. I was told to bat like it was a Test match and Robbo said that I played well, so that was nice to hear.
“Dubai was great preparation for all of us – the batters got runs, the bowlers took wickets and the girls were on fire in the field.
“Being split into two teams was something I’ve not done been part of before and I didn’t see half of the girls a lot of the time.
“It was competitive when we played each other, and that was great. I was on Team A. Anya Shrubsole was my captain, and we won.”