As New Zealand prepare to face Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, head coach Ben Sawyer remains optimistic about his side’s rhythm and mindset despite the frustration of their rain-affected fixture earlier this week.
Reflecting on the washed-out game, Sawyer acknowledged that his team believed they were on track for victory before the interruption.
“We thought it was probably a 250–260 wicket, and that’s what Shaker got, so all credit to them. We were confident we could go out and chase that,” he said. “It’s just about holding that momentum into the next game. Everyone’s in a good place and ready to go for Pakistan tomorrow.”
Sawyer emphasized that consistency and routine are key, regardless of match results. He said, “We’ve had a good couple of days – a rest day straight afterwards, a hard training session yesterday, and an optional one today for those who wanted a top-up. It’s about doing the same things over and over again, whether it’s a win or a loss.”
Sawyer expressed pride in how the group has competed in this tournament. “We had Australia in a really tough spot and were close in that match. Against South Africa, we were in a position to win, and we got through a tricky Bangladesh side that’s caused problems for other teams. We’ve played some really good cricket at times – just missed out in a few key moments,” he said.
“It’s a real mixture of senior players and some girls at their first World Cup. The way they’ve competed under pressure makes me really happy with this group.”
Sawyer also highlighted the importance of senior figures like Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Lea Tahuhu in mentoring the next generation of White Ferns.
“We’ve known for a long time that Soph, Suzie, and even Lea are getting toward the end of their careers. That’s why we made a conscious decision a few years ago to bring young players into the system, so it won’t be a complete restart once the seniors move on,” he explained.
He pointed to emerging names like Georgia Plimmer and Izzy Gaze as proof of that long-term planning. “It’s taken a little time, but they can now step into those shoes if and when needed. The senior players have played a huge role in creating that runway.”
Looking ahead to the Pakistan clash, Sawyer acknowledged the challenge their bowling attack poses. “They’ve put some top teams under real pressure. They had Australia 6 for 60 and England 7 for 70, so their bowling attack is one we’ve got to be really wary of,” he noted. “Their top order also looked impressive chasing down totals, so they’ve been playing some good cricket.”
When asked about selection decisions, particularly Lea Tahuhu’s absence in the last game, Sawyer was transparent about the tactical reasoning.
“It was purely a match-up decision. The stats showed that Chamari Athapaththu had struggled against left-arm pace, and Bree had dismissed her twice in home conditions. It wasn’t an easy call to sit Lea out, but to her credit, she accepted it for the team and moved on,” he said. “It shows the team-first mentality and the focus on winning at all costs.”
Sawyer admitted that the team had identified bowling extras as an area to refine. “We spoke about it. A lot of the extras were down the leg side, which actually shows we’re trying to attack the stumps. I can live with that as a coach because you can see what they’re trying to do,” he said. “But we do want to tighten up the execution.”
While much of the run-scoring has come from Brooke Halliday and Sophie Devine, Sawyer is confident that others are close to hitting their stride. “If we can get three or four players firing at once, we can post some huge scores,” he said. “It’s a long tournament, and players will fire at different times. I’ve got no doubt those runs are coming.”
He added that Maddy Green and Suzie Bates have looked sharp in training and could make a strong impact in the coming games. With England and India lined up after Pakistan, Sawyer revealed that while the players are focused on the next match, the staff have already begun planning ahead.
“I’m sure the players are just thinking about tomorrow, but as staff, we’ve already done the work and scouted both England and India,” he revealed. “They’re top teams – England are at the top of the table, and India at home are hugely dangerous. But for now, it’s about executing well against Pakistan.”
New Zealand faces Pakistan with a clear mindset: consistency, composure, and confidence. Despite the washout setback, the White Ferns appear ready to reclaim momentum and keep their semifinal hopes alive.
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