Craig McMillan, a former batter for New Zealand, has been appointed assistant coach of the women’s squad. From 2014 to 2019, McMillan coached the batting team for the men’s side of New Zealand. During this same time frame, New Zealand made it to two consecutive ODI World Cup finals.
With Head Coach Ben Sawyer, McMillan will be the White Ferns’ coach. Later this month, when the New Zealand women tour England, he will begin his coaching role. McMillan has played 260 international games for the Kiwis in his spectacular ten-year career, which began in 1997. In the 2018 Indian Premier League, he most recently worked as the fielding coach for Kings XI Punjab.
“I’m thrilled about the appointment and to be teaching cricket internationally once more. Embracing the White Ferns family will be wonderful as we prepare for a hectic nine months filled with thrilling challenges. I’ve spent the last several seasons observing these gifted players up close, and I’m excited to work with the management team to move the team forward,” McMillan stated, according to ESPNcricinfo.
“He had a successful playing career abroad and is a seasoned coach. The players are eager to work with Craig and to have him join them for the forthcoming tour to England, according to Sawyer, the head coach of the New Zealand women’s team.
For the England Tour, Lauren Down is back.
Three ODIs and five T20Is are scheduled for New Zealand’s tour of England, which runs from June 26 to July 17. After that, in September, they will take off for Australia to play a three-match T20I series before competing in the T20 World Cup in October. After taking a break from cricket to become a mother, Lauren Down has rejoined the national team.
New Zealand squad for the England Tour:
Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Lauren Down (ODIs), Izzy Gaze (wk), Maddy Green, Mikaela Greig, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek (T20Is), Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, and Lea Tahuhu (T20Is).