Sarah Taylor in talks to play men's cricket

The Canadian ice hockey example is quite comparable. Sport at its basic level tests three skills: strength, speed and coordination. There is a massive difference between men and women in terms of strength quite obviously. But the difference between the sexes with regards to speed is much smaller. Female 100m and marathon runners would be fitter than most males in the world. And the difference in coordination is virtually nil. Like all sports cricket requires all three skills but uniquely is more focused on coordination (timing the ball, line and length bowling, spin bowling, catching the ball, aiming at stumps, etc.) There is also a mental/strategic element where again there should be no difference between men and women. Speed is important in running between the wickets and outfielding so women will be slightly disadvantaged here. But the biggest hurdle is strength (pace bowling and six hitting). I don't see why women cannot enter the men's game in areas where the difference is small.

To be honest I don't see why a woman couldn't play at the highest level of the game. Yes it would be very difficult for them to be a quick bowler, but other than that, cricket isn't a brute strength game but a game of skill. Sachin was only 5ft 5in; Bradman was 5ft 7. I see no reason why physical conditioning (albeit that a woman might have to work harder to get the same muscle development) should be a limiting factor. Now women have the opportunity to be professional and train full-time, there's no physical reason why they can't play Tests. The barriers are that fewer women play the game so women may find it more difficult to test themselves at a good level when starting out.

Maybe some girl could be inspired by Sarah, practice against her brothers, play men's club cricket, go to a UCCE, play for them, get a county contract, and get picked for Tests. In the right combination of circumstances it could happen.

Anyone who's seen her keep will know how good she is behind the stumps. I can't see she'd let anyone down in that respect. She clearly realises she lacks the power the men have but she has a fantastic technique. If you get an opportunity to watch England play in the World Cup starting on 28 January, Sarah Taylor's cover drives are a thing of beauty.

Have played alongside and against plenty of women cricketers in my time. A husband and wife team used sometimes to open the batting for my village when I was a teenager (the wife was a Kent regular), and the wife usually outscored the husband. I think it excellent that this highly talented young woman wants to test herself in a high standard of men's cricket. The only area I think it unlikely for women to be able to perform as well as men is in outfielding (I have encountered relatively few women with a really strong throwing arm), and fast bowling, but neither of these is going to affect Taylor behind the stumps. Good on Sussex for being prepared to give her the chance. When I have skippered a side with a woman bowler in it, it has been a delight: however egalitarian, men seem either to go into their shells (they don't want to get out to a woman), or try to hit her out of the attack (and then get out playing stupid shots). If more women play, these prejudices will die. Good on yer, ST