The New Zealand White Ferns are gearing up for a significant transition, as head coach Ben Sawyer outlined his strategy for the team’s future following star all-rounder Sophie Devine’s upcoming retirement from One Day Internationals. Devine’s final match will be Sunday’s clash against England, a topic that took center stage at the pre-match press conference.
Sawyer emphasized the team’s proactive approach to talent development. “We’ve invested considerable time in nurturing our younger players,” he stated at the ACA-VDCA Stadium. “We’ve always known that key players like Sophie, and potentially Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu in the near future, would eventually move on. A deliberate decision was made a couple of years ago to closely assess and support promising young athletes.”
The coach confirmed that discussions about future leadership have been ongoing within the team. While the management has already identified potential leaders and spoken with the chosen ODI captain, Sawyer opted to keep the details private for now. “These conversations have been happening for years, starting when Sophie decided to step down from the T20 World Cup captaincy in 2024. We’ve pinpointed players who could form our next leadership core and have even decided on the new captain, but I’ll hold off on that announcement for the time being,” he explained.
On the opposing side, England is focused on building crucial momentum as they head into the Women’s ODI World Cup semi-finals. Batter Tammy Beaumont expressed the team’s readiness for any challenge. “To win the World Cup, you have to defeat the best teams out there,” Beaumont declared. “Whether it’s Australia, South Africa, or India, we’re prepared for whatever comes our way. We’re here to win.”