New Zealand Cricket have parted ways with women's team head coach Ben Sawyer despite his role in guiding the team to their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title in 2024. Ben Sawyer’s contract was due to run until December 2026, but NZC confirmed that it will not be renewed following a comprehensive review of the women’s high-performance structure.
The review has also resulted in a change to the structure around the national women’s team. NZC said a new Performance Lead role will be introduced, while the WHITE FERNS Manager position held by Rachel Pettit has been disestablished. An interim head coach and team manager will travel with the team for next month’s T20I series in Australia, with recruitment for the permanent roles set to begin shortly.
Ben Sawyer took charge of the WHITE FERNS in June 2022 and remained at the helm for four years. His tenure began with a bronze medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, followed by several successful bilateral series across formats. New Zealand recorded T20I and ODI series wins over West Indies and Bangladesh in 2022, while also beating Sri Lanka in a T20I series and Pakistan in an ODI series in 2023.
The defining achievement of Ben Sawyer's tenure came in 2024 when he guided New Zealand to their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title in Dubai. The WHITE FERNS had also secured an ODI series win and drawn T20I series against Sri Lanka in 2025.
New Zealand continued to produce strong results in 2026, sweeping both their T20I and ODI series against Zimbabwe. They also won the T20I series against South Africa 4-1 and the ODI series 2-1. Their ODI series in England ended in a draw.
Ben Sawyer was initially appointed shortly after six young players received their first central contracts. Georgia Plimmer, Eden Carson and Izzy Gaze were among those players who subsequently became part of the World Cup-winning side. NZC credited Sawyer with helping develop that group while strengthening the standards and structure around the team.
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I’m disappointed to be leaving - Ben Sawyer
Ben Sawyer reflected on his four-year stint after NZC confirmed that he would leave the role. He described leading the New Zealand Women's team as a major honour and expressed pride in what the team achieved during his tenure. He said:
"Being the WHITE FERNS coach has been a huge honour and I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to lead this group.
“This team means a lot to me and I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to achieve in the past four years. Although I’m disappointed to be leaving, I want to wish the team and NZC all the best."
NZC Chief High Performance Cricket Officer Daryl Gibson also acknowledged Sawyer’s contribution while explaining the reasoning behind the change in leadership.
“Ben’s overseen a period of considerable change and progression for the WHITE FERNS and we’re deeply appreciative of the commitment, professionalism and time he invested in the women’s game.”
“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.”
We’re hugely grateful for Ben and everything he’s put into this team - Melie Kerr
New Zealand captain Melie Kerr paid tribute to Ben Sawyer and highlighted the effort he put into the team during his time as head coach. She also credited him for his role in the 2024 World Cup triumph.
“We’re hugely grateful for Ben and everything he’s put into this team. 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.
"Ben played a huge part in a defining moment for women’s cricket in New Zealand. He showed a belief in us that helped propel the team to World Cup victory after a difficult few months and that’s a testament to his character and leadership.”
NZC’s Head of Women’s High Performance Development Liz Green also praised Sawyer’s leadership and the structure he helped establish around the WHITE FERNS.
“Ben’s a passionate, caring, and highly strategic leader. His ability to look beyond the immediate challenges highlighted why he was the right person to lead the WHITE FERNS through an important period of growth and development since 2022.”
“Ben leaves the team and women’s pathways in a stronger position than when he joined us and has worked hard to develop a clear programme plan and structure that’ll continue to support our aspiration of long-term sustainable success.
“While I’m sad to see him depart, he does so with my full respect and gratitude for everything he’s achieved, and the lasting legacy he leaves across the women’s game in New Zealand.”
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