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Cricket: Women could play in men's county game - Mark Lane
England women's cricket coach Mark Lane believes a female player will one day be part of a county's first team.
He also said "nothing was impossible" over whether a woman could play in the men's international game.
On Monday it was revealed England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor could play for Sussex's second XI.
"We're always trying to test players and take them out of their comfort zone," Lane told the BBC's Test Match Special programme.
Sarah Taylor's England record
- Tests: 4 matches, 124 runs, average 17.71
- ODIs: 71 matches, 2,247 run, average 39.42
- T20Is: 46 matches, 1,219 runs, average 32.94
"Obviously their well-being is paramount but it is something that they can do."
Sussex have revealed that Taylor and spinner Holly Colvin have been invited to train with their second XI after the Women's World Cup. England's defence of the trophy they won in 2009 starts on 2 February against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Wicketkeeper Taylor, 23, is considered one of the best players in the women's game, and is the top-ranked batter in the International Cricket Council's Twenty20 international rankings.
Left-arm spinner Colvin, also 23, made her debut against Australia in 2005 aged just 15 becoming the youngest person ever to play in a Test Match.
Asked whether a woman could play for a county's first team, Lane said "absolutely".
Responding to a question about women's potential future involvement in the men's international game, he added: "Nothing is impossible.
"I know the regulations say they can play second XI county cricket level and I think it would be fantastic to see."
Taylor appears to have a greater chance of making an appearance for the second XI at this stage as both Sussex's academy wicketkeepers are unavailable at the start of the season.
Sussex cricket manager Mark Robinson told BBC Sussex: "We have got a hole to fill.
"It has got to be right for Sarah's personal development. She would practice with the team so she could feel comfortable with the speed of the game and the people around her.
"It's important we don't create undue expectation because that would be unfair on Sarah. If all these boxes were ticked, there's no reason whatsoever why the likes of Sarah couldn't practice and then potentially play."
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Comment number 86.
hainba17th January 2013 - 23:01
Barmy Army - they are now playing women's international T20 bfore the main event. It is worth watching appreciate the skill and effort they put in. They are very quick, agile in the field and less prone to slow over rates. Obviously not as many 6s but CRicket is to be appreciated in all its forms.
Link to this (Comment number 86)
Comment number 85.
Chris17th January 2013 - 20:25
(cont from #84)
This line of argument also explains the reason why a man is not allowed to play in a woman's team - because he is (usually) born to be taller, faster & stronger and the fact that he has not been able to capitalise on that advantage is not something that merits the reward of playing in a female team.
This rationale explains why able bodies people aren't allowed in the Paralympics.
Link to this (Comment number 85)
Comment number 84.
Chris17th January 2013 - 20:15
(cont from #83)
Having female only teams is an acknowledgement of the general physical limitations of being born female. If, despite those limitations of birth, someone rises beyond our normal expectations of the female gender, then surely this should something to celebrate rather than applying glass ceilings to their progress. (cont above)
Link to this (Comment number 84)
Comment number 83.
Chris17th January 2013 - 20:05
(cont from #82)
When these discriminations have been resolved then, and only then, may we have equality. It seems incredible that in this already discriminatory world there are people that want to suppress aspiration solely because someone is female. (cont above)
Link to this (Comment number 83)
Comment number 82.
Chris17th January 2013 - 19:55
Some contributors seem to have mis-understood equality. They seem to think that just because there is women's cricket and there is men's cricket that makes equality. It doesn't.
Not just in cricket but in other sports (but not all) women's sport is derided, given scant coverage and is poorly funded for one reason only - the physical limitations associated with being born a woman. (cont above).
Link to this (Comment number 82)
Comments 5 of 86