According to a press release by ECB, Sarah Taylor, one of the greatest women cricketers of all time has signed up to compete in The Hundred. The former England wicketkeeper will represent Welsh Fire in the inaugural edition of the brand new action-packed 100-ball tournament.

One of England’s finest wicket keepers, Taylor represented England 226 times that included 10 Tests, 126 ODIs and 90 IT20s before announcing retiring from international cricket in 2019. Taylor has won two World Cups in 2009 and 2017 and three Ashes series.

With 232 dismissals through catches and stumpings, Sarah Taylor’s record across all formats of cricket is unparalleled. She scored 6,533 international runs with seven centuries and 36 half centuries and is presently ranked 10th in the list of all-time run scorers in both ODI and IT20s. Recently, Taylor became the first ever female skills coach of a men’s county team, in the role of a wicket keeping coach at Sussex CCC.

Sarah Taylor said: “There has been a real buzz about The Hundred, and especially the women’s competition. We’ve got the best players from around the world involved and the temptation to be part of it was too great to resist. I’m so excited at the prospect of playing again. It’ll be really special to get back out there and be part of a Welsh Fire side that hopefully can have a great first season.”

The brand new 100 ball tournament The Hundred – which is a combination fast-paced world-class cricket with family-friendly entertainment will kick start with a women’s game as Oval Invincibles will take on Manchester Originals on July 21. The men’s and women’s competitions feature world-class domestic and international players in the tournament.

The competition will have eight new city-based teams – Birmingham Phoenix, Welsh Fire (Cardiff), Northern Superchargers (Leeds), Manchester Originals, Trent Rockets (Nottingham), Southern Brave (Southampton), London Spirit and Oval Invincibles (London).

Taylor will be joined at Welsh Fire by the very talented Australian leg spinner Georgia Wareham. Wareham comes as replacement for Jess Jonassen, who has pulled out from the tournament this summer citing personal circumstances. Wareham who is only 21 years old, has already represented Australia in 48 matches. She has claimed 52 international wickets which also includes a match winning 3-17 against New Zealand in the semi-final of the Women’s T20 World Cup last year.

Beth Barrett-Wild, Head of The Hundred women’s competition said: “Sarah Taylor is a truly extraordinary cricketer, who has made a habit of breaking new ground in the game throughout her career. It’s highly appropriate therefore that she will feature in The Hundred this summer – a competition which has the potential to transform women’s cricket.

“I’m personally very excited about watching her play again, and I’m sure her involvement and performances will help to inspire the next generation of girls and boys to fall in love with the sport.”