BBC SPORT | Cricket | Specials | England Women Summer 2002

Clare Taylor is the senior member of the England Women's team. BBC Jersey's Richard Collinson spoke to her about her life in cricket.

Q. How did it all start for you and how long have you been involved with the England side?

A. I started pretty late in life actually, compared to some of them. I played a bit of cricket at university, but I was a hockey player really. Then a friend said 'Do you fancy playing', this was in 1987, and I turned up and started playing that way.

I got in the England team about a year later and I've been in the squad now something like 14 years.

There's been a lot of changes, people coming in and out of the squad and it's nice for someone like myself to be there and help the youngsters in their first game, let them know what it's all about, what's expected of them.

But at the same time being a good bowler as well, doing my bit for a team.

Taylor bowling against Denmark
In action during the 1997 World Cup
Q. The game's moved on a lot in 15 years. What are your recollections of when you first started compared to now?

A. The main thing that you notice is the funding. When I first started it was 'Congratulations, you're going to Australia for the World Cup, can we have a cheque for �750.'

If you didn't have the money, it meant you didn't play.

With the ECB sponsoring us now and the money from Vodafone, money's no object so we can go out for training sessions and get the best coaching like John Harmer.

Since John's been here he's brought different techniques, different ideas, different ways of thinking about how you play cricket.

But I think the main thing is probably the funding. With the money there, it allows you to go and do more things.

Darren Gough and Clare Taylor
Two Tykes: Sharing a word with Darren Gough
Q. What about the level of play?

A. Really women are always behind the guys in the physical side, we're not as strong as the guys, we don't hit it as far, but technique-wise, we're just as skilful.

We have to rely more on technique, so that's why you need to keep practising and practising.

If you want to be good at anything, whether it's cricket or whatever sport, you've got to be hours in on the practice field.

Q. How much time are you putting in now as a regular England player when you've got another job as well?

Australia set the standards in the women's game
Bowled by Australia's Cathryn Fitzpatrick
A. I try and put two technical sessions in a week, so I go to the nets either at Headingley or Old Trafford and work with another couple of the England girls.

Then there's another three mornings spent down at the gym doing the aerobics stuff to keep you fit and running around, and a little bit of a weights session just to build up the muscles.

We've all got set programmes to do but again with having a full-time job, working at the Royal Mail, it's just a balancing act. You wake up Monday morning and think 'What have I got to do this week' and youve got to plan your week, it's as meticulous as that.

But it's enjoyable - I wouldn't have it any other way, running about like a headless chicken, thinking where am I going next, what am I doing next. You don't have time to think but it's very rewarding.

Some mornings you might get up and think 'I don't fancy going to the gym' but when you're playing for England and you've got those Three Lions there, it might be a bit clich�d but it just means the world and it's worth all the hard work to actually play.