Women’s Premier League: Ben Sawyer joins RCB as head coach

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) recruited Australia’s Ben Sawyer as head coach and former Indian cricketer Malolan Rangarajan as assistant coach and head of scouting ahead of the first Women’s Premier League on Wednesday (WPL).

Mike Hesson, RCB’s Director of Cricket Operations, introduced the coaching staff ahead of the WPL 2023 on the franchise’s Twitter account.

Sawyer is the current head coach of the New Zealand women’s national cricket team as well as the Birmingham Phoenix women’s squad in The Hundred. He has also served as an assistant coach for the Australian women’s team and as the head coach of the Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League.

RCB has also selected RX Murali, the current head coach of the Nagaland Cricket Association, as their batting coach, and former India cricketer Vanitha VR as their scout and fielding coach, in addition to Sawyers and Rangarajan.

Other names on the RCB support team include Dr. Harini (Team Manager and Team Doctor), Navnita Gautam (Head Athletic Therapist), Huzefa Talib (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Sabyasachi Sahoo (Head Physio), and Soumyadeep Pyne (Head of Operations).

Earlier on Monday, the Bangalore-based club bought a team full of superstars, including Smriti Mandhana, the record first and most expensive buy at the inaugural WPL Auction.

Aside from Mandhana, the franchise’s star-studded lineup includes Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry and medium pacer Megan Schutt, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, England captain Heather Knight, South African all-rounder Dane Van Niekerk, and India under-19 standout Richa Ghosh.

The WPL’s debut season is expected to begin on March 4. The Royal Challengers Bangalore will kick off their season on March 5 against the Delhi Capitals at the Brabourne Stadium.

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