READING’s Claire Taylor has been inducted into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame for her outstanding achievements at international level – seven years after retiring from the game.

The former Berkshire county batter and wicketkeeper made more than 150 appearances for England between 1998 and 2011.

Now, 42, she was the first woman to be selected as Wisden’s Cricketer of the Year in 2009 and the following year she received an MBE.

Having attended a special ceremony in Dublin on Sunday, she commented: “It is a great honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame alongside some of the greatest names of the men’s and women’s game from across the world.”

The former Abbey and Kendrick School pupil added: “I would like to thank everyone who helped me achieve my dreams of success with England, particularly my parents, Mark Lane for his coaching wisdom, the ECB, my teammates and support staff and my (work) colleagues at SUMS Consulting.”

Inducted alongside her last weekend were Australian Ricky Ponting and former India captain Rahul Dravid.

  • A ‘CELEBRITY’ Reading FC fan has admitted watching the Royals during Jaap Stam’s reign put him off football.

Tom ‘Pricewise’ Segal, one of the country’s most respected horse racing experts, revealed: “Jaap Stam might have put me off football for good.”

Writing in the Racing Post last Sunday, he said: “I haven’t got into the World Cup at all. In fact, I haven’t watched a single match, and I think it’s because Reading were so dull for two years that I now prefer watching cricket and golf instead.”

His comments came a day before it was reported Reading was the fifth most stressful city to live in the country.

  • FOR the second time this year, Thames Valley Cricket League have issued a firm warning to clubs and individuals about the use of social media.

Secretary Matthew Stevenson said: “Any comments on social media or member clubs’ own websites, which are disrespectful to clubs, teams, players and individuals within the TVCL community, will lead to disciplinary action.”