Cricket-Sawyer leaves role as New Zealand women's coach


Cricket - First Women's Twenty20 International - England v New Zealand - County Cricket Ground, Derby, Britain - May 20, 2026 New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer during the warm up before the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Sept 18 (Reuters) - New ⁠Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Friday it ⁠has decided not to renew Ben Sawyer's ‌contract as coach of the women's team, bringing an end to the Australian's four-year stint in charge of ​the 'White Ferns'.

Sawyer was appointed in ⁠June 2022 and ⁠after leading the side to a bronze medal ⁠at the ‌Commonwealth Games that same year he guided New Zealand to their ⁠first Women's T20 World Cup title in ​2024.

However, New ‌Zealand were eliminated from the group stage ⁠of the ​50-over World Cup last year and suffered another early exit in their T20 world title ⁠defence in June.

"Sawyer’s contract, which ​was set to conclude in December 2026, has not been renewed following a comprehensive review process," ⁠NZC said in a statement.

Sawyer was disappointed to be leaving but said it had been an honour to coach the team.

"This team ​means a lot to ⁠me and I’m really proud of what we ​have been able to achieve ‌in the past four ​years," he added.

(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Purulia, India; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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