Sarah Taylor: How England's Golden Gloves Stumped Anxiety

Regarded as one of cricket’s most talented wicketkeepers - male or female - the now 31 year old returns to the sport as a coach for Sussex, the very county that she spent 15 years as a player. An outstanding career for England spanning 226 appearances was devastatingly cut short as a result of mental health issues, something that has plagued the Whitechapel born ‘keeper for much of her international career. An inspiration on the field, and arguably an even greater one off the field, Taylor’s experiences with anxiety have raised much required awareness to the deeply vital subject that destroys so many lives. Now, two years since her premature retirement from all forms of cricket, the star wicketkeeper becomes the first female specialist coach to be appointed in men’s cricket in the UK.

It was a career which came to life in just her fourth international ODI. On a warm, sticky late August afternoon, an integral 61-run knock off almost as many balls wrapped up a Series win against India. It was to be the foundations for a long, prosperous tenure in the sport which would continue for a further 13 years on the international stage. 10 Tests, 90 T20s and 126 ODIs unearths a wealth of healthy batting statistics, but it was behind the stumps where Taylor truly strived. Nobody in women’s cricket comes within even a slither of rivalling the swift-handed ‘keeper’s 232 affected dismissals, whose effective work with the gloves would provide constant danger for all those who came to the crease. Towards the latter end of her reign behind the bails, however, the number of missed series home and abroad began to mount, raising increasing concern for her well-being as she fought bravely to contain her oppressive mental health issues.

At the very worst, Taylor explained how her anxiety left her unable to get out of bed whilst struggling to breathe - a constant state of panic. For anyone who has never experienced mental health issues, or has been in contact with those who have stared depression straight in the face, it is near impossible to relate to the overbearing symptoms. They are all unique to the person, but there are effective ways of dealing with the dark clouds that loom ever so close to their heads. For Taylor, her remedy was openly discussing her own version. Speaking up was the first hurdle in a long, tiring marathon that allowed the cricketer to feel far more comfortable in her own skin. That is the initial, crucial component to dealing with this illness, no matter how important one is to the job. The amount of pressure resting on Taylor’s shoulders when she opted out at a time when her England side were midway through an Ashes Series must have felt incredibly heavy but, in times such as these, the individual’s needs are far greater than any rivalry.

It is the feeling of loneliness, too. At the peak of her symptoms, Taylor discussed how she had convinced herself that it was only her that felt this way. There are far more people with mental health issues than we believe. It is rife in every community of every settlement on this Earth. The key factor, which Taylor herself wants to communicate, is that they are not alone:

“People that go through those experiences, I would love for them to know it's dark, but there's light at the end of the tunnel”.

Taylor has been an astounding role model to so many aspiring cricketers for over three decades but, following her battle with anxiety, she has become an exemplar for all those dealing with similar issues. For reasons that puzzle the brain, very little attention and awareness is directed to mental health. As a terrific servant for England Cricket, Taylor’s actions in speaking to the public to discuss her own problems were heard around the world. It does not have to be primarily about mental health, either, as Marcus Rashford effectively used his extensive platform to campaign about the need for free school meals. Taylor’s is a voice that many will, and have, listened to and, in turn, it relieved much of her own stress.

It was in July of 2019, just prior to the Women's T20 International matches of the Women's Ashes that Taylor withdrew herself from the squad to focus on her own personal battles. Two months later, and she had retired from all forms of cricket altogether. It was a desperately upsetting end to a deeply impressive career but, having seen what the power of her words can do to uplift herself and the nation, there can be only positives. Speaking about her final decision, Taylor mentioned:

“This has been a tough decision but I know it’s the right one, for me and for my health moving forward. 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.”

That chapter has since been opened as the illustrative wicketkeeper returns to Sussex not as a player, but as the first female coach to be appointed in men’s cricket. Hopefully, in the years to come, this will open the door for more female coaches in the men’s game. In an era which should be far more gender inclusive, shadows of the past still remain. As for Taylor herself, however, her continued support in raising awareness for those with mental health issues combines with what will seemingly, and hopefully, be a long and lengthy career coaching those who aspire to be her.