A Female Coach Running a County Men's Team? Why Not?

Whether the door she has pushed ajar will lead to others barging it fully open remains to be seen.

But Georgia Adams - who will lead Hampshire's women in final of the Metro Bank One Day Cup - sees no reason why it can't.

The Hampshire captain has witnessed the playing revolution in women's cricket at first hand since making her county debut in 2009 at the age of just 15.

Off the field, the changes have been just as dramatic.

After Taylor's appointment earlier this year, a coaching revolution could be gathering pace too.

"Sarah said recently that she just wants to be perceived as a coach without the stigma of being a woman coaching men," says Adams.

"A coach is a coach.

"Tactically the men's and women's games are slightly different, but from a technical skill point of view, it's not wildly different.

"She's paving the way and showing that gender doesn't matter.

"We have plenty of men coaching in our game, so why can't it be the other way around? Knowing Sarah, it doesn't surprise me in the slightest that she's coaching the England men."

In Taylor's case, it's clear that she's having a sizeable impact too.

Jamie Smith, England's current wicketkeeper, has spoken in glowing terms about the impact she has had on his game.

That has been very much in evidence this summer, with Smith looking far more comfortable behind the stumps.

Arguably, that increased confidence with the gloves has had a positive impact on his batting too.

How far off we are from having a woman coaching a county side remains a matter for conjecture but Adams believes the speed at which the women's game is evolving can only help to hasten the process.

"I think it might still be a little way off, mainly due to confidence," she says.

"Working under Lottie (currently England and former Hampshire coach, Charlotte Edwards), you see someone who is a natural leader and isn't afraid to tell anyone what to do.

"I'm on an ECB coaching course, and my mentor noted that a big issue is that women often feel they need to be the finished article before taking on a role, whereas men are often more comfortable jumping into the deep end and learning on the job.

"As our game continues to professionalize and female players gain experience in different environments, that confidence will grow.

"I would absolutely love to (become a coach after retiring from playing).

"Before professional women's cricket was fully established, I was coaching at BACA (The Brighton Aldridge Cricket Academy) in Sussex alongside Ian Cox, which was an elite college programme.

"It took a while to step back from coaching when I signed for New South Wales in Australia, and I've thrown myself into playing for the last few years. But I've really missed coaching.

"I've always been passionate about women's cricket and giving back, so hopefully there will be avenues open for female coaches when I retire."

Adams has been so consistent for Hampshire in recent seasons that any retirement plans can wait for a good while yet.

And while some Hampshire supporters will scratch their heads and wonder why Adams hasn't been handed greater opportunities by England, the all-rounder isn't losing any sleep about adding to her two international caps, without giving up entirely on getting the call from her former coach.

"The older I get, the more I realise I play my best cricket when I'm relaxed and taking each game as it comes," she says.

"For many years, I tried to play a style to get picked for England, which sometimes worked, but other times got me into a rut.

"I'm really comfortable with where my game is now. I'm a bit of a jack-of-all-trades across formats, but maybe without one specific super strength.

"It has been two or three years since my last involvement, which was getting my T20 cap in Ireland.

"Communication since then has been non-existent, but I know the T20 side is so difficult to break into given the overall athleticism and skill required.

"In 50-over cricket, you never know.

"Over the last year or so, the England A level below the senior team has transitioned to quite a young group to build toward the next ODI World Cup, which is understandable.

"But you just keep nudging away."

The more Hampshire see of her the better. That will be the overwhelming consensus of those filing into the Utilita Bowl to see Hampshire take on The Blaze in the One Day Cup final.

Last year, the hosts were denied a title win by Lancashire. Now, having beaten Surrey in the eliminator on Wednesday, they'll be hoping Adams' side can go one better 12 months on.

For Hampshire supporters it will be a final opportunity to see Aussie Amanda-Jade Wellington in county colours this season.

The hope and expectation will be that she returns in 2027.

"Fingers crossed!" says Adams.

"l'll certainly be pestering her and pestering the management to make it happen.

"She's been outstanding.

"I call her "the magician" because of the sheer control and skill she possesses.

"Every task I give her on the pitch, she executes right on the money, and she just loves playing - she'd run through brick walls for the team.

"Hampshire has become a second home for her, she fitted in like a dream, and I know the club will do everything possible to bring her back."

While Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith will be absent tomorrow, the England pair of Maia Bouchier and Freya Kemp will be in the Hampshire side as Paul Prichard's team aim to banish memories of last year's disappointment.

Both have been in outstanding form for club and country this summer.

"They play with a real level of maturity," says Adams.

"Maya has so much talent - probably the best technique in the women's game, though I'm slightly biased!

"She's worked on her headspace and tempo, and to see her come back and put to bed that stigma around not getting three figures has been amazing.

"As for Kempy, she's still so young, but she has really matured. She has learned that in 50-over cricket, you don't have to pump everything over the ropes all the time.

"Outside of Dani Gibson, she's probably the most powerful striker of a ball in English cricket.

"She whacks it, but she also picks up runs easily just by hitting gaps.

"They bring so much knowledge back from the international stage."

Adams will hope the pair have one more big game in them.