Big Bash coach jumps on to assist Aussies

Two-time Rebel WBBL champion coach Ben Sawyer has come on board to assist the Australian Women’s Cricket Team’s bid for a fourth World T20 title.

The Sydney Sixers coach has been appointed assistant coach until the end of the ICC Women’s World T20 in the Caribbean this November, working under head coach Matthew Mott and full-time assistant Shelley Nitschke.

Sawyer replaces Ashley Noffke who held the role during Australia’s tour to India earlier this year, and has no shortage of experience when it comes to winning important matches, having led the Sixers to the WBBL|02 and WBBL|03 titles.

He was also an assistant coach to Leah Poulton on Australia’s under-19 women’s team in April and has worked with reigning WNCL champions NSW as a specialist pace bowling coach.

Sawyer comes on board in time for Australia’s Commonwealth Bank T20 series against New Zealand beginning this Saturday, September 29, while he’ll also travel with the team – which includes his Sixers stars Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner and Alyssa Healy – to Malaysia to play Pakistan in October.

“I’m really excited to be able to join Matthew and Shelley in what I think is a really diverse coaching group and one that can help steer a really talented group of players,” Sawyer said.

"I’ve been lucky enough to work with the Sixers for the last three seasons, and so I already know a few of the players really well, but I’m looking forward to working with a new group of players.

"We’ve got a really busy period coming up, but it’s a chance for this team to show why they are the number one team in the world.

“They’ve put in a lot of hard work over the winter and are in good form, so I think they’re well placed to hopefully claim back that World T20 crown."

Mott said he was genuinely excited on what Sawyer could bring to the squad. 

"Having been involved with the women’s game domestically for the past decade, Ben has a great understanding of not only of our players but also key international players that we will come up against. 

"Ben is a quiet, unassuming but highly respected coach who has already worked with a number of our players, all of which had a strong endorsement of his appointment.”

Sawyer will continue his role with the Sixers for WBBL|04.

Australia begins its 2018-19 summer at home with three Commonwealth Bank T20 Internationals against New Zealand starting on 29 September at North Sydney Oval. The match will be shown live on Fox Cricket and Channel Seven after the AFL Grand Final.

CommBank T20 INTLs v NZ 

September 29: First T20I, North Sydney Oval, Sydney

October 1: Second T20I, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

October 5: Third T20I, Manuka Oval, Canberra