Claire Taylor

Acknowledging the applause for a century at Taunton
in the 4th ODI against Australia  in 2005
She went on to make 116 of just 133 balls!

Born 25 September 1975. 
Represents : England, Berkshire, Reading-Ridgeway
Right hand bat
Occasional Wicket Keeper
Test Debut: England v India at Shenley, 15.07.99
ODI Debut: England v Australia at Southampton, 19.7.98

• [2009] Won ICC Player of the Year Award.

• [2009] As Player of the Tournament in both the T20 World Cup and the World Cup this year, Claire has underlined the fact she is currently the finest batsman currently playing the sport.

• [2006] Her 156* at Lord's against India is the highest ODI score on that ground by any player beating one by Viv Richards.

• [2005] Is this her most successful year to date? A 136 against Sri Lanka in the World Cup in South Africa (Average 73 in the 5 match round-robin) and fine knocks for England against Australia including a century in ODI4 make this a hugely productive year.

• [2002] Moved from Redoubtables to Reading-Ridgeway.

• [2001] This was undoubtedly Claire's summer in the sun, highlighted by a superb innings in the Test Match at Headingley against Australia, where she made 137, ironically  equalling her highest ODI score at the time. This is the 4th highest score by an English player against Australia. An undefeated half century at Lord's also added some respectability to the England score line.

• [1996] Claire scored 158, against Cambridge in the 1996 Varsity Match. At Oxford she won three Blues in Hockey and three Half Blues in Cricket and was selected for England U-19 and U-21 hockey squads. 

• [1994] In 1994 she won the Reading Evening Post's Young Sportsperson of the Year Award for her achievements in cricket and hockey and for her voluntary work with handicapped children. 

• Is a very fine photographer.