Ben Sawyer, who orchestrated the White Ferns’ victory in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, has been reappointed as head coach for an additional two years. His renewed contract extends his leadership role through December 2026, encompassing both the eagerly awaited ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in India and the 2026 T20 World Cup in England, where the White Ferns will strive to defend their championship title.
Sawyer first joined the New Zealand women’s national cricket team in June 2022 under a two-year agreement, taking over just ahead of the Commonwealth Games. His initial period was marked by success as the White Ferns secured a bronze medal by defeating England in the medal match.
During his time at the helm, the team participated in 45 matches, winning 21 and suffering 22 defeats. However, the lead-up to the 2024 T20 World Cup was tough, with only three victories in 18 matches between October 2023 and September 2024. In an impressive comeback, Sawyer’s team performed spectacularly at the T20 World Cup, clinching five wins out of six matches to take home the championship.
Liz Green, Head of Women’s High Performance at New Zealand Cricket (NZC), commended Sawyer’s contributions and expressed enthusiasm for the team’s future, stating, “We’re so pleased to have Ben sign on for another two years.”
Green noted the observable development in the team, adding, “Ben played a big part in progressing the White Ferns and aiding the enhancement of the women’s pathway. Many of our young players, who debuted on Ben’s first tour two years ago, are now beginning to excel, as demonstrated in the recent T20 World Cup. There was significant growth during that tournament, resulting from the building efforts led by Ben and the coaching staff over the last two years.”
“I’m thrilled that Ben’s re-signed with us. His impact on the White Ferns and women’s cricket in New Zealand has been substantial. The team is currently in a great position, so maintaining this consistency by locking him in for another two years is crucial for us,” expressed Sophie Devine, captain of the White Ferns, highlighting the importance of stability in the team’s ongoing development.
While the team has performed well in T20s, enhancing their ODI performance remains critical. With only nine wins from 24 ODIs during his leadership, the White Ferns face significant challenges ahead. Their last ODI series concluded with a 1-2 loss against India, demoting them to sixth place in the ICC Women’s Championship points table with 20 points.
The final series of the cycle—consisting of three matches against Australia—will be crucial. To steer clear of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in 2025, New Zealand must show exceptional form.
Anticipation is already building for the upcoming Rose Bowl series against Australia, set for December 19, 21, and 23 at Wellington’s Cello Basin Reserve. New Zealand Cricket has announced free entry for the first ODI, resulting in increased ticket bookings. Adding to the excitement, the White Ferns will display their ICC T20 World Cup trophy during the matches, offering fans a unique chance to view and photograph it.
As the White Ferns gear up to take on the challenging Australian team, Sawyer’s focus will be on harnessing the squad’s recent successes to enhance their ODI performance and secure a strong finish to the Championship cycle. The lineup for the Rose Bowl series will be revealed later this week, heralding the start of what is expected to be a thrilling competition.
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