Latest news with #WhiteFerns
NZ Herald
2 hours ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Olympics 2028: Cricket qualification system could leave highly ranked Black Caps and White Ferns on the outer
The Black Caps and White Ferns look set to face qualification tournaments for the Los Angeles Olympics with the ICC planning to approve a continental qualification system, putting both New Zealand teams on the outer. Cricinfo reports the ICC is set to confirm a continental qualification system which will be
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
‘Player-centric' coach all about helping Sparks fulfil potential
Gareth Davies looks forward to his first season coaching the Otago Sparks. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN "They pull the scrums off it, right?" New Otago Sparks coach Gareth Davies is very happy with his new office. The University Oval looked like a picture when he arrived, even if a chunk of it was covered by a white blanket of frost. He knows cricket has to share the venue with rugby. The goalposts at each end are a bit of a clue. But the 32-year-old Welshman was a little concerned for the welfare of the pitch block and the potential damage burly men and women in boots could do to it. Welcome to Dunedin. Things are done a little differently here. Davies has already come to appreciate many of the things the community has to offer since arriving two weeks ago. The coffee is high on his list. He has enjoyed countless cups while getting to know his new charges and colleagues. "Everyone in the organisation has been class so far," he said. "And so welcoming. "It's pretty daunting coming across from Wales to the other side of the world ... especially when you don't know many people. "But honestly, welcome arms, open arms, it's been so good." Davies, who has signed a two-year deal, is not a stranger to some of the players. He worked with the White Ferns on their tour of the UK last year, so he got to know Suzie Bates and Eden Carson, and worked with Polly Inglis when she was based in the United Kingdom. Davies studied in Cardiff and played some "second XI cricket for Glamorgan and Wales minor counties". He spent "three or four" seasons in Australia where he learned "a heck of a lot about cricket, life, and how the world works". It toughened him up, he said. When he returned to the UK, he landed an opportunity within performance analysis at Warwickshire County Cricket Club. Davies had a long stint with Worcestershire Women as an assistant and then a head coach. He also worked alongside White Ferns coach Ben Sawyer at the Birmingham Phoenix and did two years with them. It is an impressive resume, and he has "committed fully" to making it work. During the tenure of Craig Cumming, whom Davies has replaced, the Sparks won three one-day titles and made two T20 finals. It is a hard act to follow. "Yeah, but it's exciting as well. "We've got boots to fill in terms of trophies, but I also see there's a lot of potential to develop White Ferns. "And that was another massive part of this job and the draw for me to come here." His role, as he sees it, is to remove obstacles so "there's nothing stopping them going and achieving their dreams". That drives his whole coaching philosophy. "So I'm very player-centric. The person comes first. "I understand that there's, especially here, a holistic approach. There's a lot more that goes on than just the cricket, especially with the seven-month contracts. "There's a lot of stuff that goes in the rest of the time in that five months. "So just understanding the person, making sure that they've got what they want, and that allows me then to push them in the right direction that I think that they need to go in and I'll get the best out of them. "And then there's a lot built on trust. "I think we need to be a very self-aware group ... and be courageous [about] having tough conversations with each other. "That's something that I will really push within the group and not just become coach-dependent every time and all the time, because ultimately they're out in the middle on their own and have to make a decision by themselves. "That's something that I want to try and create. That resilience cricketer, the robust cricketer and someone who aspires to go to the next level."
NZ Herald
20-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Taranaki cricket legend Debu Banik takes role at Cricket Whanganui
'The whole idea is taking young players, 11 or 12 years old, through to representative and professional environments.' Cricket Whanganui general manager Pete Bowman said youth cricket in the district had 'a really solid base'. 'We've got an opportunity for Debu to use his 20-plus years of experience in this space,' he said. 'He's delivered everything from youth to representative cricket, and has been involved in developing the likes of Tom Bruce, Will Young [Black Caps] and Kate Ebrahim [White Ferns]. 'Debu brings a plethora of connections, not just in Central Districts but the wider cricket community.' Banik arrived in Taranaki in 2003, starting as a professional player before becoming head coach of the Taranaki men's team and the Shrimpton Trophy women's side. He also spent 10 years developing Francis Douglas Memorial College's cricket programmes and was involved in the Central Hinds coaching set-up. 'Connectivity is a huge part of the role and, rather than sitting in the office and looking at a screen, we'll be putting Cricket Whanganui out there and letting people know we are there for them,' he said. 'In the background, you're doing your homework, but you're also meeting with schools, clubs, and other organisations.' Banik takes over from director of coaching Greg Smith and female development officer Verity Johnson, who had a three-year stint in Whanganui from Berkshire, United Kingdom. Whanganui senior men's coach Warren Marr said he had known Banik for a long time. 'We've coached together, been at conferences together and had a few beers together,' he said. 'I'm pretty sure we'll complement each other well.' Marr said the senior men's side had a good season in 2024/25, including victories over Taranaki and Horowhenua and the 'game of the year' against Nelson, which Whanganui lost by one run. 'I was pretty pleased, we finished where we hoped we would finish. 'We'll miss Greg's [Smith] leadership, but young Shaun O'Leary is stepping up as captain this year.' Bowman said work was ongoing to improve the standard of cricket in the district. 'Last year, we played from October to April, which is the most in the last five to 10 years. 'I think people are starting to respect us again for what we deliver, pound for pound, within the region.' He said Banik was one of 30 applicants for the role, but the Cricket Whanganui panel was unanimous in its decision, recognising his 'experience, leadership and proven ability to grow the game across all levels'. Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily the Whanganui District Council.
United News of India
10-07-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Warm-up venues confirmed for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026
Dubai, July 10 (UNI) Cardiff's Sophia Gardens, Derby County Ground and Loughborough University will all host warm-up fixtures ahead of the 2026 edition of the Women's T20 World Cup that commences in Birmingham on June 12 2026. While the exact details of the warm-up fixtures are yet to be released, the three venues- that are rich in cricketing pedigree and have played a major role in enhancing the profile of women's cricket in recent times- will all host matches prior to the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup that will be hosted by England and Wales next year. Eight of the 12 teams that will compete in the expanded T20 World Cup have already been determined, with the final four sides to be locked in once the Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier has been completed early next year. The 12 sides will battle it out in 33 matches across 24 days and at seven venues in England and Wales in 2026 and all teams will be aiming to match the exploits of New Zealand when the White Ferns won their first T20 World Cup title in Dubai last year. The fixtures and the groups for the T20 World Cup were revealed last month, with England to host Sri Lanka in the tournament opener in Birmingham on June 12 ahead of the final at Lord's on July 5. Group 1 features multiple-time champions Australia, 2024 finalists South Africa, Asian heavyweights India and Pakistan, along with two teams from the Global Qualifier. Group 2 includes hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Sri Lanka, former winners West Indies and the other two teams from the Global Qualifier. The seven venues that will be used during the event are Edgbaston, Hampshire Bowl, Headingley, Old Trafford, The Oval, Bristol County Ground and Lord's. UNI RKM
Canada News.Net
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
Zimbabwe set to make historic debut in ICC Women's Championship during New Zealand tour
Harare [Zimbabwe], June 25 (ANI): Zimbabwe women's team will make their historic debut in the ICC Women's Championship and embark on their quest to qualify for the Women's ODI World Cup when they tour New Zealand for a white-ball series in February-March 2026. The landmark tour will see the Zimbabwe women's team square off against the White Ferns in three ODIs, scheduled for March 5, 8, and 11 next year at the University of Otago Oval in Dunedin, marking their debut in the ICC Women's Championship. Before the ODIs, the two sides will compete in a three-match T20I series on February 25 and 27 and March 1 at Seddon Park in Hamilton, giving the tourists a valuable opportunity to acclimatise to New Zealand conditions ahead of their ICC Women's Championship debut. Zimbabwe's women's team were included in the coveted global competition for the first time following its expansion from 10 to 11 teams in November 2024. According to the ICC's Future Tours Programme, Zimbabwe women will travel to play New Zealand, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, while hosting South Africa Women, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Ireland. 'It is a proud and exciting moment for us as Zimbabwe Women prepare to compete at the highest level of the global game. This is not only a testament to how far our women's cricket has come, but also a strong endorsement of our vision and investment in developing the women's game,' Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) managing director Givemore Makoni said in a statement by the board. Makoni added that making their debut in the ICC Women's Championship would inspire more girls and young women across Zimbabwe to take up the sport. 'Being part of such a prestigious competition provides our players with a platform to grow, compete and ultimately qualify for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup,' he said. 'The exposure to top-level cricket, including this inaugural tour to New Zealand, will accelerate our progress and strengthen our global competitiveness,' he added. (ANI)
