Ben Sawyer departs White Ferns head coach role

Ben Sawyer has departed his role as the head coach of the White Ferns, the New Zealand women's national cricket team, following a review of the organization’s high-performance structure. Although his contract was originally scheduled to run until December 2026, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) determined that the program requires a different leadership approach for its next stage of development.

Sawyer, who was appointed in June 2022, led the team through a period of significant success, including a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and a victory at the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

NZC Chief High Performance Cricket Officer Daryl Gibson described the decision as difficult but necessary to support the future direction of the high-performance pathway. White Ferns captain Melie Kerr praised Sawyer’s dedication and meticulous preparation, noting his significant impact on the team during a defining era for the sport.