Sarah Taylor bids adieu to international cricket

Sarah Taylor, England wicketkeeper-batter, announced her retirement from international cricket on Friday.

The 30-year-old, with the help of England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), has been working to manage her mental health over the last three years. However, in the recent years, Taylor's anxiety has affected her ability to enjoy the game and as such to focus on her health she decided to step away from the international arena.

“This has been a tough decision but I know it's the right one, for me and for my health moving forward. I can't thank my teammates enough, both past and present, and the ECB for being supporters and friends along my journey. Playing for England and getting to wear the shirt for so long has been a dream come true and I have been blessed with so many great moments throughout my career," Taylor said.

Taylor, who made her debut in 2006, finished with 6533‬ international runs that places her second on England's all-time list of run-scorers, behind her former captain Charlotte Edwards. One of the world's finest wicket-keeper with 104 stumpings to her name in 226 appearances, she was part of England side that famously won the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 and the ICC Women's World T20 in 2009.

“From making my debut in 2006, to Ashes wins, and of course the World Cup final at Lord's, to name just a few, I've also been blessed with travelling the world and making lifelong friends along the way. To be right in the thick of women's cricket as it's gone from strength to strength – not only in England, but across the world – has been an amazing experience, and I can look back on what women's cricket has achieved with great pride at playing some small part in it."

“The England girls are role models on and off the field, and they have undoubtedly inspired – and will continue to inspire – so many young people to take up the game, girls and boys. I can't wait to see the heights that this team can reach. I am extremely proud of my career. I leave with my head held high and with excitement for what my future holds and what my next chapter brings," Taylor signed off.

Clare Connor, Managing Director of Women's Cricket, hailed Taylor's contribution and said, “Sarah can be immensely proud of everything she has achieved in an England shirt, and of everything she has done for the women's game. She is someone that young people can look up to, for her achievements and talent on the pitch – but also for her bravery and resilience off it. She has come through significant adversity and performed on the world stage for her country."

“We are very grateful to Sarah for her contributions to English cricket over the last 13 years. She has become a powerful voice within women’s sport and I’m sure she will make a success of the next stage of her professional life. We all wish her the very best," Connor concluded.

Taylor's style of wicketkeeping will outlive the numbers.