Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia today congratulated assistant coach Ben Sawyer on being appointed head coach of the New Zealand Women’s Cricket Team.
Sawyer took charge of Australia’s pace bowlers in a full-time capacity in July 2021, having previously spent time with the group in a part-time role.
His departure means Australia will have a new-looking coaching group for the upcoming Tri-Series in Northern Ireland and Birmingham Commonwealth Games, with South Australia’s Jude Coleman and Tasmania’s Dan Marsh confirmed as support for interim head coach, Shelley Nitschke.
The trio will unite in Brisbane in June when Australia holds its second and final camp ahead of its trip to the United Kingdom.
Speaking on Sawyer’s departure, Ben Oliver, EGM of High Performance and National Teams said:
“We’re excited for Ben and this new opportunity; he’s been a key part of the success of our world champion women’s team over a number of years and is ready for the challenge of leading an international program.
“Ben has been a brilliant resource for the side’s emerging and experienced fast-bowlers and the work he’s done with this exceptionally talented group of players should be acknowledged.
“He’s highly respected and so it comes as no surprise that New Zealand have identified Ben as an asset to their program. We understand Ben accepting this opportunity and wish him and his family all the best.”
Multiple Indoor Cricket World Cup-winning captain, Jude Coleman is no stranger to the Australian setup having led Australia A to a 5-0 series clean sweep against England A earlier this year.
Coleman is the current assistant coach of the South Australian Scorpions and Adelaide Strikers WBBL side and boasts extensive experience in the indoor and outdoor formats of the game. She is also a qualified high school PE teacher, having worked in the education system for 12 years before joining Queensland Cricket as a Coach and Talent Development Specialist.
Former Tasmanian and South Australian cricketer, Dan Marsh is the current assistant coach of the Tasmanian Women’s Team and supported Coleman on the same ‘A’ tour in January.
Speaking on their appointment, Oliver said:
“It’s great to have coaches of such high calibre in the Australian system who we can call upon like we have with Jude and Dan.
“Both have extensive coaching and playing experience and did a brilliant job with the Australia A team earlier this year, so we know they’ll be of great assistance to Shelley, Meg and the team over the coming months.”
Ongoing coach appointments are expected to be confirmed after the Commonwealth Games.
Name of Author: Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia (CA), formerly the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), is the governing body for cricket in Australia. Established in 1905 as the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket, CA manages all national teams, including Men’s, Women’s, and Youth sides, as well as other national teams. It oversees the organization of Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is, and coordinates home international fixtures.
