Sept. 23, 2020, 7:17 p.m.
Just over 12 years ago, an exciting, enthusiastic teenager strode on to the field in Dublin, opening the batting for the West Indies Women in a match against Ireland Women. 90 runs came from her bat and her historical innings in T20 International cricket began which has led to 3,000 T20 International runs, the second most in women’s cricket history.
The 29-year-old reached the milestone today in her 103rd innings – during the second T20 International against England at Derby County Ground today. It came via overthrows at the non-striker’s end as she got a two off the bowling of Natt Sciver.
A journey that started in the humblest of ways in Spanish Town, has seen a young girl grow into one of the legends of women’s cricket – Stafanie Taylor was born to play cricket. Her coach back in those days saw something in her that he knew would be suitable to the sport we love, and he asked her to give it a try and as they say, the rest is history.
Though a T20I century has been elusive, Stafanie has so far recorded 21 half-centuries. When asked if she would go after the triple figures if within sight or take the team to victory, the selfless leader puts her hand up, putting a team victory over personal statistics.
As one who leads by actions and not words, Stafanie can seem almost shy or closed but that’s her armour, she lets her batting and bowling speak for her. 3000 T20I runs is by no means a small task to achieve. There are countless hours and days of training, traveling, giving up family and personal time to hone her talent and be the best that she can be. Stafanie has now cemented her name in history of West Indies Women’s cricket as being the first to achieve 3,000 T20I runs.
A much sought after player in all the Women’s T20 franchise league around the world, Stafanie has entertained spectators from New Zealand, to India in the Women’s IPL exhibition games, to Australia in the Women’s Big Bash League where she has featured for the Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers ironically her Strikers team mate is the woman with most T20I runs, Suzie Bates. And last but not least, she has played in the CPL women’s exhibitions matches home here in the West Indies.
Stafanie has won all the possible T20 titles, with the exception of the Women’s IPL exhibition tournament. She has been a part of winning teams of the Kia Super League and Women’s Big Bash League with Western Storm and Sydney Thunder respectively. But the biggest T20 title she has ever won was the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2016, when she led the West Indies Women for the first time in an international tournament. Not only did she win the title but was also selected as the Player of the Tournament and selected by the ICC as Captain of the year of their ICC XI for 2016.
Twelve years has been a long but rewarding road for Stafanie but her innings isn’t over yet. Also 11 wickets shy of 100 T20I wickets, she has her sights set on becoming the first player, male or female to achieve the milestone of 3,000 T20I runs and 100 wickets.
Achievements and Awards:
- Order of Distinction (Jamaica)
- ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2011
- ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year – 2012
- ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year – 2015
- Won ICC T20 Women’s World Cup in 2016
- Player of the Tournament – ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2016
- She was the first female cricketer to score a century and to take four wickets in an innings of a Women’s ODI
- Member and Captain of the ICC Women’s T20 Team of the Year 2017
- West Indies Women’s ODI Player of the Year – 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
- West Indies Women’s T20 Player of the Year – 2017
- Won WBBL with Sydney Thunder 2015-2016
- Won KIA Super League with Western Storm- 2017
- Won CWI Women’s Regional with Jamaica
- Currently (2020) ranked Number 1 in Women’s ODI Batting
- Currently (2020) ranked Number 2 in Women’s T20 All-Rounders
- 5th on All-time Women One Day International run-scorers with 4754 from 126 matches.
-CWI
