Former New Zealand all-rounder Sarah Tsukigawa has been named the national selector for women’s cricket. Tsukigawa, who represented New Zealand in 42 ODIs and 19 T20Is from 2006 to 2011, takes on the crucial role of overseeing player selection for both the national team and the development pathway just below that level.
Tsukigawa will collaborate closely with head coach Ben Sawyer, making selections for upcoming assignments, including New Zealand's home series against Australia in two weeks and their participation in the Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE. The squads for these series will be revealed on September 10 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
"I’ve always wanted to contribute to women’s cricket and give back to the game that has given me so much," Tsukigawa expressed. Having previously served as captain, assistant coach, and selector at Otago while maintaining a career as a teacher, Tsukigawa brings a wealth of experience. She was part of the New Zealand squad that reached the final of the 2009 T20 World Cup and also competed in the ODI World Cup that same year. She highlighted the importance of clear communication in the selection process and shared her confidence in the current White Ferns squad and the developmental pathways being created to nurture future talent.
Liz Green, NZC’s Head of Women’s High Performance, stated that Tsukigawa's role involves talent identification and succession planning, crucial especially as Sophie Devine prepares to step down as T20I captain after the upcoming World Cup. Devine, however, intends to continue leading the ODI side.
"Sarah has a true passion for identifying and developing talent," Green noted, adding that Tsukigawa’s dual experience as both a player and a selector gives her a comprehensive understanding of the selection process from both perspectives.