Ben Sawyer, who led New Zealand to its only Women’s T20 World Cup title in 2024, has left his role as women’s head coach after a four-year stint, New Zealand Cricket announced in a statement on Friday.

Sawyer’s contract was initially supposed to run until December 2026 but it was terminated following a review by the women’s high performance structure.

“Being the White Ferns coach has been a huge honour and I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to lead this group,” Sawyer said in a statement. “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 (New Zealand Cricket) all the best,” Sawyer said in a statement.

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Having joined the team in 2022, Sawyer’s tenure will be remembered as a period of success for New Zealand. Under his helm, Amelia Kerr took over as captain and the White Ferns won the bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, before their historic triumph in 2024.

However, the team failed to defend its title and crashed out of the group stage at the T20 World Cup 2026.

“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,” Kerr said.

NZC chief high-performance officer Daryl Gibson also thanked Sawyer for his years of service.

“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,” NZC’s chief high-performance cricket officer Daryl Gibson said. “It was a difficult decision (to let Sawyer go) 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.”

The team will travel with an interim head coach and manager for its T20I series tour of Australia next month.

“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,” NZC’s head of women’s high-performance development Liz Green said.

Published on Sep 18, 2026