Ben Sawyer joins Southern Stars coaching staff

Sawyer, who has been appointed till the end of the ICC Women’s World T20 2018, to be played in the Caribbean in November, replaces Ashley Noffke, the former Australia men’s international who was in the set-up for the team’s tour of India earlier this year.

The new appointee has a big reputation as coach. He has been at the helm for Sydney Sixers as they won two Women’s Big Bash League titles – in 2016-17 and 2017-18.

Sawyer comes into the fold days ahead of Australia’s tour of New Zealand for a series of three Twenty20 Internationals, to be played in Sydney (29 September), Brisbane (1 October), and Canberra (5 October). Australia then travel to Malaysia for a bilateral series against Pakistan before flying to the West Indies for the World T20.

“I’m really excited to be able to join Matthew [Mott, the Head Coach] and Shelley [Nitschke, the other Assistant Coach] in what I think is a really diverse coaching group and one that can help steer a really talented group of players,” said Sawyer.

“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.”

Mott said he is ‘genuinely excited’ about having Sawyer alongside him, saying, “Ben is a welcome addition to our team, having worked with him previously in various pathways programs, I am genuinely excited on what he can bring to our 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.”

Keeping in mind the hectic schedule ahead, Sawyer added, “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.”

Sawyer will return to his position as the Sydney Sixers coach when the next season of the WBBL rolls in.