Former New Zealand allrounder Sarah Tsukigawa has been appointed as the new national selector for women’s cricket in New Zealand. This significant announcement comes as the country gears up for a busy cricketing schedule, including a series against Australia and the Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE.
A Promising Career in Cricket
Tsukigawa, who played 42 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 19 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) between 2006 and 2011, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Her international career saw her participate in key tournaments, including the 2009 T20 World Cup final and the ODI World Cup in the same year.
Having previously served as the captain, assistant coach, and selector for Otago, Tsukigawa has demonstrated her commitment to women’s cricket. She has also balanced her cricketing career with a teaching profession in Dunedin, showcasing her dedication to both education and sports.
Working with Ben Sawyer
In her new position, Tsukigawa will collaborate closely with New Zealand’s head coach Ben Sawyer. Her responsibilities will encompass selecting players for the national team as well as identifying talent for the pathways leading to international cricket. This dual focus is essential as New Zealand prepares for upcoming challenges, including the series against Australia and the Women’s T20 World Cup.
“I’ve always wanted to get back involved in women’s cricket and give back to the game that has given me so much,” Tsukigawa stated. Her passion for the sport and her desire to contribute to its growth in New Zealand are evident in her comments.
Key Responsibilities Ahead
One of Tsukigawa’s immediate challenges will be to identify talent in the wake of Sophie Devine’s decision to step down as T20I captain after the World Cup. Devine has expressed her intention to retain the leadership role in ODIs, but the transition in T20 leadership will require careful planning and foresight.
Liz Green, the Head of Women’s High Performance at New Zealand Cricket (NZC), emphasized Tsukigawa’s role in talent identification and succession planning. “Sarah has a clear passion for talent identification and development,” Green said. “She has a unique skill set with her experience both as a player and a selector, so she brings an understanding of the selection process from both points of view.”
As New Zealand prepares to announce the squads for their upcoming matches on September 10 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, Tsukigawa’s insights and decisions will play a crucial role in shaping the future of women’s cricket in the country. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, her expertise will be invaluable in building a competitive team capable of making a significant impact on the international stage.
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