Ben Sawyer exits New Zealand women's cricket after T20 World Cup glory
Synopsis
Ben Sawyer delivered the T20 World Cup 2024 title to the White Ferns — and still wasn't retained. NZC's decision to part ways with the coach despite that historic win signals a strategic pivot, raising the question: what does 'a different leadership approach' actually mean for a programme now defending a world title?
Key Takeaways
Ben Sawyer has left the New Zealand women's cricket head coach role after four years , following an NZC high-performance review.
Sawyer was appointed in June 2022 ; his contract was due to run until December 2026 but was not renewed.
Under his tenure, the White Ferns won the T20 World Cup 2024 and a bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games .
NZC Chief High Performance Cricket Officer Daryl Gibson cited the need for a 'different leadership approach' for the team's next phase.
An interim coach will lead the White Ferns for next month's away T20I series against Australia , with the squad named in early October .
The search for a permanent replacement is set to begin shortly , according to NZC.
Ben Sawyer has stepped down as head coach of the New Zealand women's cricket team — known as the White Ferns — following a review of the high-performance structure, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed. The departure ends a four-year tenure that brought the team its most celebrated achievement in recent memory: the T20 World Cup 2024 title.
A Coaching Tenure Defined by World Cup Glory
Sawyer was appointed White Ferns head coach in June 2022, with his contract originally running through December 2026. Despite that timeline, he was not offered a renewal following NZC's internal performance review. During his four years at the helm, the Australian-born coach guided the White Ferns to a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games before delivering the programme's crowning achievement — the T20 World Cup 2024 crown.
The coaching stint also saw the appointment of star all-rounder Melie Kerr as team captain, a decision that proved pivotal to the team's World Cup campaign.
What the Coach and Players Said
Sawyer expressed gratitude but did not conceal his disappointment at the outcome. 'Being the White Ferns coach has been a huge honour, and I'm really grateful to have had the opportunity to lead this group,' he said. 'Although I'm disappointed to be leaving, I want to wish the team and NZC all the best,' he added.
Captain Melie Kerr paid an emphatic tribute to the outgoing coach. 'His preparation was second to none; he poured his heart and soul into the role and left no stone unturned trying to make the team better,' Kerr said. She added that Sawyer's belief in the squad was central to the World Cup victory, calling it 'a testament to his character and leadership.'
NZC's Reasoning for the Change
Daryl Gibson, NZC's Chief High Performance Cricket Officer, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision while signalling a deliberate shift in direction. 'It was a difficult decision which was not made lightly, but it reflects our view that the next stage of the White Ferns journey requires a different leadership approach to support the future direction of the programme,' Gibson said.
Gibson also praised Sawyer's professionalism, noting that he had overseen 'a period of considerable change and progression' for the team. Head of Women's High Performance Development Liz Green echoed that sentiment, stating that Sawyer leaves the programme 'in a stronger position than when he joined.'
What Happens Next for the White Ferns
New Zealand will deploy an interim coach and a team manager for an upcoming away T20I series against Australia next month. The squad for that series is set to be named in early October. NZC confirmed that the process to identify Sawyer's permanent replacement will commence shortly, though no timeline or shortlist has been made public yet.
The transition comes at a defining juncture for women's cricket in New Zealand — a programme now tasked with defending its World Cup status under new leadership.
Point of View
Only implies the programme needs a fresh direction, which raises the question of whether strategic differences, not outcomes, drove the exit. This is the recurring tension in elite sport: institutional ambition often outlasts the individuals who deliver on it. For the White Ferns, the more consequential risk is succession — a new coach inheriting a world-champion group mid-cycle, with an Australia series looming, is a structurally awkward transition that NZC will need to manage carefully.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ben Sawyer leave as New Zealand women's cricket head coach?
Ben Sawyer did not receive a contract renewal after NZC conducted a review of its high-performance structure. NZC's Chief High Performance Cricket Officer Daryl Gibson said the decision reflected the organisation's view that 'the next stage of the White Ferns journey requires a different leadership approach,' though no specific reason beyond that was given publicly.
What did Ben Sawyer achieve as White Ferns head coach?
Sawyer guided the White Ferns to a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and, most significantly, to the T20 World Cup 2024 title. He was also instrumental in the appointment of Melie Kerr as team captain during his four-year tenure beginning June 2022.
Who will coach New Zealand women's cricket team next?
An interim coach and a team manager will be in charge for the White Ferns' away T20I series against Australia next month. NZC has confirmed that the process to find a permanent replacement for Sawyer will begin soon, though no names have been announced.
When is the New Zealand women's team's next series?
The White Ferns are scheduled to play an away T20I series against Australia next month. The squad is expected to be announced in early October, with an interim coach at the helm.
What did captain Melie Kerr say about Ben Sawyer's departure?
Kerr paid a warm tribute, saying Sawyer's 'preparation was second to none' and that he 'poured his heart and soul into the role.' She credited him as playing 'a huge part in a defining moment for women's cricket in New Zealand,' particularly in delivering the T20 World Cup victory.
