Taylor named England fielding coach in landmark move

Former wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor will be England's fielding coach during the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, making her the first woman to coach an England men's side in a major sport.

Taylor, 36, played 226 times for England between 2006 and 2019 and is regarded as one of the best wicketkeepers to have played the game.

Taylor has worked as a coach in men's cricket with Sussex, Manchester Originals and with England Lions, including this winter.

"She's one of the best in the business at what she does," said England's managing director of men's cricket Rob Key.

"She's been outstanding, and she's worked a lot with [Lions head coach] Andrew Flintoff and Ed Barney [performance director].

"They can't speak highly enough of her. So from what we can see, she's one of the best in the business."

Taylor's chance comes with Carl Hopkinson, who returned to the England set-up in white-ball cricket earlier this year, currently at the Indian Premier League with Mumbai Indians.

Key suggested both he and Taylor will continue to work with the team in the future.

Speaking to BBC Sport last winter, Taylor said: "I still am not someone who wants the limelight, I just want to be good at my job. That's how I want to go about my coaching really.

"I love being a trailblazer but without the attention. I want to see how far I can go, and work with some of the best players that I can."

The first Test against New Zealand begins at Lord's on 4 June and is England's first in the format since their dismal Ashes defeat.

Amid accusations of the set-up being too slack, England did not have a fielding coach on their staff in Australia, something that came under intense scrutiny when they dropped catches at crucial times.

That campaign, which also included discussion around allegations of excessive drinking of alcohol, brought into question the professionalism of the team set-up, their tactical approach and the futures of Key and coach Brendon McCullum.

A curfew that was introduced for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in January will remain in place for the New Zealand series.

McCullum, who has taken time off since the end of the T20 World Cup in March, will be present when the first-Test squad meets for a three-day training camp in Loughborough from 25 May.

It includes bowler Ollie Robinson and uncapped trio James Rew, Emilio Gay and Sonny Baker.

Former New Zealand bowler Tim Southee will not be at the camp but will return as bowling coach for the series against his former side.

Asked what will change in the set-up, given both he and McCullum remain in their posts, Key said: "What we want is to have players to go out and play their best game.