Claire Taylor leads MCC efforts to boost cricket in China
Former England women's star is due in Hong Kong after three matches on the mainland
It's not been quite as intense as playing at a World Cup, but former England star Claire Taylor is on a groundbreaking visit playing with the MCC women's team in China.
Having witnessed first hand the emergence of China on the world stage - the Chinese women played at Lord's in August - Taylor believes cricket could benefit hugely if it became an Olympic sport.
Becoming part of the Olympic movement would be a key ambition for the development of cricket worldwide
"Becoming part of the Olympic movement would be a key ambition for the development of cricket worldwide," says Taylor, the first woman to be named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2009).
"It would motivate players, national governing bodies and governments to develop structures and promote the game, and it will increase the numbers playing worldwide leading to higher levels of competition.
"The spirit of cricket, its very essence, is tightly linked to Olympic motives and so cricket in a shortened format would be a great addition to the Games," says Taylor, who will arrive in Hong Kong this week after playing matches in Shenyang, Beijing and Shanghai.
She has been left wide-eyed with what she has seen in the mainland.
"The Chinese women's team has made great strides since they came to Lords. They have the potential to become one of the best sides in the world," she said.