Former New Zealand allrounder Sarah Tsukigawa has been appointed the national selector for women’s cricket in New Zealand. Tsukigawa, who played 42 ODIs and 19 T20Is during her international career from 2006 to 2011, will work closely with New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer. Her responsibilities involve choosing players for the national team as well as identifying talent within the women’s cricket development program.
New Zealand is preparing for an exciting period ahead, with a series against Australia set to begin in two weeks, followed by the Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE. The squads for both competitions will be announced on September 10 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Tsukigawa’s involvement will be crucial in shaping these teams.
Tsukigawa expressed her excitement at returning to the cricketing world, stating that she always wanted to contribute to the game that gave her so much. Her experience as a former captain, assistant coach, and selector at Otago will bring valuable insight to her new role. Despite continuing her teaching career in Dunedin, Tsukigawa maintained her involvement in cricket through these roles.
A key figure in New Zealand’s squad during the 2009 T20 World Cup final and the ODI World Cup the same year, Tsukigawa highlighted the importance of clear communication in the selection process. She emphasized her belief in the current White Ferns squad and the promising pathway for future players. Her experience as a player gives her a unique perspective on the selection process.
NZC’s Head of Women’s High Performance, Liz Green, praised Tsukigawa’s passion for talent identification and development. Green believes her combined experience as a player and selector equips her with the necessary skills to excel in her new role.
With Sophie Devine stepping down as T20I captain after the upcoming World Cup, Tsukigawa’s role in planning the team’s future will be even more significant.
