Former WHITE FERNS and Otago Sparks allrounder, Sarah Tsukigawa, has been appointed as the new Women’s National Selector for New Zealand Cricket (NZC), taking over from Jason Wells, who vacated the role in May. Tsukigawa will now work alongside WHITE FERNS head coach Ben Sawyer to select the national team and other female pathway squads.
Tsukigawa brings a wealth of experience to the role, having captained the Otago Sparks and played 61 matches for the WHITE FERNS between 2006 and 2011. She has been involved in Otago’s setup as both a selector and assistant coach following her playing career, while also pursuing a career as a teacher in Dunedin.
NZC’s Vision for Women’s Cricket
Liz Green, NZC Head of Women’s High Performance, emphasized the importance of the role in identifying talent, succession planning, and working closely with Major Association coaches and talent scouts. Green highlighted Tsukigawa’s understanding of the selection process and her relationship-building skills as key attributes that make her well-suited for the position.
“Sarah has a clear passion for talent identification and development… She has a unique skillset with her experience both as a player and a selector,” said Green. “She’s also great at building relationships and understands the varying stakeholders involved in the selection process.”
Tsukigawa’s Excitement for the Role
Expressing her excitement, Tsukigawa stated, “I’ve always wanted to get back involved in women’s cricket and give back to the game that has given me so much.” She also emphasized the importance of clear communication in the selection process and her belief in the current WHITE FERNS squad and the talent pipeline.
“NZC’s investment in the women’s game has created incredible opportunities for female cricketers, and I’m looking forward to contributing throughout the pathway,” Tsukigawa added.
Next Steps for Tsukigawa
Tsukigawa officially began her role on August 19 and will play a key part in selecting the WHITE FERNS squad for the upcoming T20I series against Australia and the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE. The squad will be announced on Tuesday, September 10, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Her appointment comes at a crucial time for New Zealand women’s cricket, as the WHITE FERNS look to build on recent performances and develop future talent through a well-established pathway.
