Sawyer named women's coach of Birmingham franchise in The Hundred

"I am looking forward to assembling a team that can combine global superstars with a lot of the local talent" - Sawyer © Getty

Ben Sawyer, the assistant coach and fast bowling specialist for the Australia Women's team, has been appointed the head coach of the Birmingham women's team for The Hundred. Sawyer's appointment follows Andrew McDonald's, who been announced the coach for the corresponding men's team.

"I'm very excited," Sawyer said. "I'm looking forward to assembling a team that can combine global superstars with a lot of the local talent here in the West Midlands that has performed so well in the recent women's county T20.

"Speaking to players around the world, The Hundred is a competition that they're all talking about and want to get involved in."

Sawyer is also the coach of Sydney Sixers, who have twice won the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). The 40-year-old is the third Australian to be appointed a women's coach whereas four are English.

Craig Flindall, the Chief Operating Officer at Warwickshire CCC, said: "Ben boasts outstanding credentials as a head coach in the women's game, with the best win percentage of any coach operating in international T20s, the Kia Super League and the WBBL.

"He's widely respected by players and fellow coaches around the world and he was the standout candidate throughout the comprehensive recruitment process that we undertook. We're thrilled to welcome him as our Head Coach of the Birmingham team."