Last year, MCC president Robin Marlar described the inclusion of Sarah Taylor and her England colleague Holly Colvin in the Brighton College men's first team as "absolutely outrageous".
 Taylor was guided by Clare Connor at Brighton College |
Marlar reasoned that no man would not want to hurt a young woman by bowling fast at her. He was wrong, as one men's team is still reeling from the impression Taylor left on their pace attack earlier this season.
"We played a South African touring side at college and they were firing 80mph balls at me," she said.
"When they saw me come out to bat, they thought it was funny. When I smashed a cover drive back at them, the smiles went from their faces.
"I face really quick bowlers regularly - it's good to know the boys will bowl like that at me."
Guided by former England captain Clare Connor, who is head of PE at Brighton College, Taylor has eased through age-group and domestic cricket.
 | Just wearing the England kit will be awesome |
On Saturday night she took her international bow in the Twenty20 defeat to India and she is set to play a major role in the series that follows, with the first Test starting at Leicester on Tuesday. "I wouldn't be where I am now without Clare's influence," said Taylor, 17.
"She was the first woman cricketer I'd ever heard of and she advised me to come to Brighton College.
"That has been the best thing for my cricket purely because I've got to play with the boys, but I've also taken everything Clare's said off the pitch on board."
Playing in mixed sides is not the universal method for developing into an international talent, though.
| My Dad said it would have been a waste of a talent if I'd given it up |
Seamer Lynsey Askew's cricket career took her out of the boys game at an early age but, at 19, she is also beginning her first series as a senior international. At the age of nine, she and 15-year-old Lydia Greenway formed the Hayes ladies team and either has looked back.
Greenway went on to become one of last year's Ashes heroines, while Askew has emerged as a key prospect among England's next generation.
"I had a love-hate relationship with cricket when I was younger," said Askew.
"But my Dad said it would have been a waste of a talent if I'd given it up and that's what convinced me not to."
Like Taylor, Askew has had a senior England figure to guide here through to the top level as her county captain Charlotte Edwards is now skipper of the national team.
 Askew has not played mixed cricket since she was nine |
"Lottie has been there for me all the way since I started to play senior cricket for Kent," Askew said. "She wants to win so much, but she makes it enjoyable."
Askew is still getting over the call from head coach Richard Bates telling her she was in the squad to face India.
"I think I asked Richard whether he was sure. It still hasn't sunk in. It feels beyond me."
England clearly feel, though, that these two young stars are ready for the step up to the international stage.
"Just wearing the England kit will be awesome," said Taylor.
"I have no fear or expectation about the series and I'm looking forward to every minute of it."
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