Former New Zealand all-rounder Craig McMillan was on Tuesday appointed as assistant coach of the women`s team, with the ODI World Cup 2025 less than a month away. McMillan will now work with head coach Ben Sawyer and batting coach Dean Brownlie.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Tuesday released a statement, which read, “McMillan will dedicate his time solely to the `White Ferns` and the female Players of Interest programme”.
With this, the 48-year-old will step away from his commentary career and other coaching commitments. He was part of the management during the New Zealand women`s team`s title-winning run in the T20 World Cup last year, and expressed his delight at joining the side on a full-time basis.
On his appointment, McMillan expressed happiness by saying that he is `excited` to work with the `talented players`.
“I`m over the moon to be in this role with the White Ferns. The women`s game is going from strength to strength, and I`m excited to continue to work with our talented players and help them reach their goals,” he said. “The last year has gone so quickly, and I`ve loved every minute of being part of a team that continues to improve, challenge one another, and does special things on the world stage.”
McMillan also assured that the New Zealand women`s team`s preparations for the ODI World Cup, which will be held later this year in India and Sri Lanka, are well underway.
“It`s been a busy period leading into the 50-over World Cup. We`ve had a number of camps, including one in Chennai, which exposed the players to Indian conditions like what they`ll face in October-November. The team is pumped to get back to India and take on another World Cup,” he concluded.
The ODI Women`s World Cup 2025 is all set to kick start from September 30 and will be held in India and Sri Lanka. The `White Ferns` will begin their campaign with a clash against the Australian Women`s team on October 1 at the Holkar Stadium in India.
The final of the Women`s ODI World Cup is scheduled to be played on November 2, with the venue yet to be confirmed.
(With ANI Inputs)