New Zealand Cricket has acquired the services of Ben Sawyer to lead the women’s team as head coach on a two-year deal. He will take over from Robert Carter, who oversaw a disappointing ODI World Cup campaign earlier this year.
Sawyer has been the assistant coach of Australia women’s team prior to taking this offer. He is also Birmingham Phoenix head coach in the Hundred and has led Sydney Sixers in the WBBL in the past as well.
In a recent interview, the coach said he is excited about his new role and believes there is a lot of untapped potential in the New Zealand side. His first assignment with the team will be the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
“I see a lot of potential in this White Ferns group and I feel really optimistic about helping to untap that potential. It’s certainly going to be a learning process as I get to know the players and they get to know me, and my cricket philosophies and coaching style,”
he said as per Cricbuzz.
Sawyer added that his main focus will be to have players prioritise the process as he believes the right preparation and routine can take care of the outcomes.
NZC has been in the limelight in the last couple of weeks for their decision to leave out some experienced players from the central contract list. As a direct effect of the decision, Amy Satterthwaite decided to hang her boots from international cricket.
The team’s captain Sophie Devine welcomed Sawyer into the fold and is looking forward to working with him. The player acknowledged the work he has done with the Australian women’s team and hopes the experience can benefit the White Ferns.
“We’re really looking forward to working with Ben and receiving the benefit of his experience. He’s been a key figure in the ongoing success of the Australian women’s team and we hope we can tap into that bank of experience and grow together as a team,”
Devine said.
