Former English wicket keeper Sarah Taylor will return to professional cricket for the first time since 2019 after joining Welsh Fire for the new Hundred competition.
The 31-year-old scored 6,533 international runs for England and carried out 232 layoffs.
She retired from international cricket out of fear, but has since said she would “maybe” will return.
“The temptation to be a part of it was too great to resist,” said Taylor.
“I’m so excited to have the chance to play again. It will be very special to be out there again.”
Widely regarded as one of the best wicket keepers of all time, Taylor won two 50-over world championships and one T20 world championship during her 13-year international career.
Only Charlotte Edwards has scored more international runs for England than Taylor, who is the tenth leading female goalscorer of all time in one-day and twenty20 cricket.
She trained at a school in Eastbourne and recently joined her county club Sussex as a wicketkeeping trainer.
Taylor will be part of Meg Lanning, multiple captain of the World Cup at Welsh Fire and will be led by Australia coach Matthew Mott.
“Sarah is one of the best cricketers England has ever produced,” said Mott.
“It goes without saying that she would improve either side and we’re glad she signed with us.”
Welsh Fire has also signed Australian leg spinner Georgia Wareham after international teammate Jess Jonassen retired due to personal circumstances.
Wareham, 21, has taken 33 wickets at 13.78 in 32 T20s for Australia.
The new 100-ball competition will take place from July 21st to August 21st. Welsh Fire will face Southern Brave in the opening game on July 27th.
The women’s opening match between Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals will be broadcast live on the BBC on July 21st.
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Manchester Originals spinner Alex Hartley, who won the 2017 World Cup with Taylor
It’s so nice to have Sarah back. When she retired it was a bit of a shock, but she had time off and put herself in a good place.
People have said she is the best goalkeeper in the world, male or female, and you forget that all these young players will have seen Sarah. You will learn from her; They looked up to her and now they are going to play cricket with her.
I have a lot of memories of Sarah. We did a lot of movie nights on tour and became really good friends. She is a fun person and I look forward to spending a little more time with her.
She’s a real mental health advocate – she has helped Sussex develop resources to support the community – and it’s nice to have someone who is so open to it.
I learned from Sarah when I was I go through my strugglesthat it helps to talk and have people around you.
She’s only ever hit a six in domestic cricket apparently, and it’s against me so I can’t wait …
