Dean Brownlie named New Zealand Women's batting coach

Former New Zealand men's international Dean Brownlie has been named batting coach of the New Zealand women's team. Joining him in the White Ferns set-up is spin-bowling coach Craig Howard.

Brownie, who retired at the end of the 2019-20 season with a total of 14 Test caps and 21 white-ball caps, was New Zealand men's interim batting coach in March 2022 when the side played Netherlands at home. More recently, he served as network coach at Northern Districts and also joined the Black Caps coaching staff for the T20 World Cup in Australia.

"I've been fortunate to experience cricket all around the world in different conditions, and I want to be able to share my knowledge of the game to help take this batting group to the next level," Brownlie said via an NZC statement. "This batting group has a mix of world-class players and exciting young players coming through as well, so there's a unique playing dynamic that I hope to add value to.

"There's some really experienced players in this group that know their game really well and will require support when needed, and there's younger players who are just starting out on their international cricket journey who I can provide a bit more guidance with, so it's individual with how I will contribute."

Howard, a former first-class cricketer with Victoria, will work closely with spinners Amelia Kerr, Eden Carson and Fran Jonas. He has been involved with the White Ferns on a tour-by-tour basis in the past, and will be with the side for the home series against Bangladesh and then stay on at least until next year's T20 World Cup in South Africa in February. He has previously been spin consultant with Cricket Australia, South Australia and Adelaide Strikers, where he worked with Nathan Lyon, Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux.

"With the World Cup around the corner we will mainly continue to work on their strategy and mindset in the different formats and phases - making sure they're high percentage and giving them the best chance of performing their role which will be to limit the oppositions ability to score and take wickets," Howard said.

New Zealand are set to play Bangladesh at home for three T20Is and three ODIs starting December 2, and then go to the T20 World Cup where their first game is scheduled against Australia on February 11.