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Live sport on SN this weekendCraig Cumming: What new White Ferns coach must bring for success
Sport Nation • September 26th, 2026 7:00 am
Otago Volts and Blackcaps Batsman Craig Cumming ahead of a Super Smash clash Photo: Dave Lintott/PHOTOSPORT
Former Blackcaps batter and current Nottingham Blaze boss Craig Cumming has pinpointed what the new White Ferns head coach must bring to the environment to facilitate immediate success.
Ben Sawyer was relieved of his White Ferns head coach duties at the end of last week, with a recruitment process underway.
Cumming, who made 24 appearances for the Blackcaps, is returning home to New Zealand after another successful season with The Blaze, where the club clinched the Metro Bank One Day Cup last weekend.
With one year left on his Blaze contract, Cumming confirmed to Sport Nation Mornings with Ric & Chappy that the vacant White Ferns job is not something he’s considering.
"The reaction was that it's hard being a head coach first and foremost. It is tough and it's a performance-based thing and they'll [NZC] have their reasons for that," Cumming told Sport Nation.
"I've got another year left in my contract here with the Blaze; I've signed for three years. When it came up, I wasn't even thinking about anything other than getting to finals day.
"And I've done a lot of my planning for next winter, which is nice because that means I can jump on the plane on Tuesday and I get to come home for the first time since February the 6th last year and get to see my family, get to house, getting to see my pets.
"I get to see my dad and my sisters and catch up with some friends. So to be honest, that's enough for me to be thinking of, knowing that I've also got another year on my contract."
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When asked what attributes the new White Ferns head coach will need, the 51-year-old explained how important relationship building will be.
"It's someone who's got to have a relationship-based style. I think you do have to have an understanding of the New Zealand game because when it comes to your philosophies and what you're trying to do, it's got to be authentic to the people that are in your environment, or in this case your country," Cumming said.
"I know that's a little bit cliché, but also you've got to understand the people and where they're at. I'm not sure what New Zealand Cricket's strategic direction is and what their expectations are in the next two to three years.
"But the reality is you've lost some very experienced and very good players, and you can't just replace that overnight. I think it's someone who needs to be really well connected to the domestic game and support the domestic coaches.
"You've got to be really united and connected and aligned from that perspective to try and work really closely together. I think the person would want to be based in New Zealand because you've got a lot of time to spend developing.
"It's an interesting environment, though, because there are just so many different things popping up. It's going to be interesting to see whether they can get someone who is able to commit full-time, but I think if someone is doing a national job, you want them on the shores at least and being around for the majority of the time."
Listen to the full interview below
