Ben Sawyer appointed New Zealand Women's new head coach

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have appointed Ben Sawyer as their national women's team's new head coach. The appointment with Sawyer is for a period of two years. Sawyer was associated with the Australian Women's side since 2018 as a bowling coach and later as an assistant coach.

Speaking about his new job with the Kiwi women, Sawyer said he saw a lot of potential and wanted to take women's cricket to the next level.

"I can't wait to get stuck in. I see a lot of potential in this White Ferns group and I feel really optimistic about helping to untap that potential, so they can take their cricket to the next level. 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."

"If you get the players making a priority of the processes and concentrating on the preparation and routines that improve and develop performance, then the outcomes tend to look after themselves. That's where consistency of performance comes from, and that's what we're seeking," he was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Sawyer and the Australian side ended up winning multiple World Cups (T20 and 50-overs), apart from being a part of their 26-ODI unbeaten streak.

Speaking of head coach Sawyer, New Zealand Women's captain Sophie Devine said she is looking forward to working with him, given his track record with neighbours Australia.

"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."

"The upcoming Commonwealth Games campaign in Birmingham and the tour to West Indies will be really helpful in that regard - there's nothing like away tours for bringing a group together and sharing a common purpose," she added.

Sawyer was also head coach of the Sydney Sixers franchise in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). He is currently also the head coach for Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred.