Guptill, Adams boost NZ Women's coaching setup for Australia T20Is
Synopsis
New Zealand have called on two of their most capped former players — Martin Guptill (367 appearances) and Andre Adams — to bolster the White Ferns' coaching group for the Australia T20I series starting 18 October in Sydney. The appointments come as the side adjusts to life without long-serving coach Ben Sawyer, with Craig McMillan also absent due to back surgery.
Key Takeaways
Martin Guptill and Andre Adams have been named to the White Ferns coaching group for the Australia T20I series .
The three-match series begins in Sydney on 18 October .
Guptill , capped 367 times for New Zealand, will cover batting and fielding duties in place of Craig McMillan , who is recovering from back surgery .
Adams previously toured with the White Ferns in 2017 and 2023 and has coaching experience including the Birmingham Phoenix Women .
The pair join interim head coach Dean Brownlie after long-time coach Ben Sawyer recently departed.
Former New Zealand internationals Martin Guptill and Andre Adams have been added to the White Ferns coaching group for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed. The duo will join interim head coach Dean Brownlie as the side prepares for a new era following the recent departure of long-time coach Ben Sawyer.
Series Details and Timing
The three-match T20I series is scheduled to commence in Sydney on 18 October, with the revamped coaching group taking charge of preparations immediately. The appointments signal NZC's intent to draw on the experience of decorated former players as the White Ferns navigate a transitional phase in their coaching structure.
Guptill's Role and Background
Guptill, who represented New Zealand on 367 occasions across formats, will provide specialist batting and fielding support throughout the series. He steps in as cover for Craig McMillan, who is currently sidelined and recovering from back surgery. Guptill expressed enthusiasm about the assignment, saying: 'I'm really excited to be joining the WHITE FERNS and looking forward to working with such a talented group of players. The WHITE FERNS have achieved a huge amount in recent years and there's a lot of exciting talent coming through. If I can help add a few extra tools to the players' games and support their growth, then that's something I'll be really proud of.'
Adams Returns to White Ferns Setup
Adams, currently serving as assistant coach with the Otago Volts, returns to the White Ferns environment having previously toured with the squad in 2017 and 2023. He also brings experience from several domestic and franchise coaching roles, including a stint with the Birmingham Phoenix Women. 'It's great to be back involved with the WHITE FERNS,' Adams said. 'Having worked with the team before I know what a special environment it is and how much pride the players and staff take in representing New Zealand. Opportunities like this are exciting because you get to test yourselves against one of the best teams in the world, and we're looking forward to taking that head-on together.'
What the Appointments Mean for the White Ferns
The series against Australia — consistently ranked among the world's top women's T20 sides — will serve as an early test of how well the new coaching group gels. Notably, this marks one of the more high-profile uses of men's cricket alumni in a women's coaching setup in New Zealand, a model several nations have explored with mixed results. The White Ferns will be looking to build momentum heading into a busy international calendar, and the additional specialist input from two seasoned former players could prove valuable in addressing specific technical gaps in their batting and fielding units.
Point of View
But they also spotlight a structural question NZC has not fully answered: what is the long-term coaching vision for the White Ferns after Sawyer? Plugging gaps with high-profile men's alumni works as a stopgap, but Adams and Guptill are stepping in under an interim head coach with no confirmed tenure beyond this series. Against an Australian side that is the benchmark in women's T20 cricket, the White Ferns need continuity of method more than big names in the dugout. Whether Brownlie's group can establish even a short-term tactical identity in the time available will be the real test of these appointments.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have Martin Guptill and Andre Adams been added to the White Ferns coaching group?
They have been brought in to strengthen the White Ferns' coaching setup for the three-match T20I series against Australia, following the departure of long-time head coach Ben Sawyer. Guptill specifically covers for Craig McMillan, who is recovering from back surgery.
When and where does the New Zealand Women vs Australia T20I series begin?
The series opens in Sydney on 18 October, with three matches scheduled in the T20I format.
What is Martin Guptill's role in the White Ferns coaching group?
Guptill will provide specialist batting and fielding support throughout the series. He steps in as a replacement for Craig McMillan, who is sidelined due to back surgery.
What coaching experience does Andre Adams bring to the White Ferns?
Adams is currently the assistant coach of the Otago Volts and has previously toured with the White Ferns in 2017 and 2023. He also has franchise coaching experience, including a role with the Birmingham Phoenix Women.
Who is the interim head coach of the New Zealand Women's team?
Dean Brownlie is serving as interim head coach for the Australia T20I series. He leads the newly formed coaching group that now includes Guptill and Adams following Ben Sawyer's departure.
