Tiffen to take a break

Haidee Tiffen has stepped down as White Ferns coach for the three-match Rose Bowl series against Australia.

Tiffen has requested a leave of absence in the wake of a New Zealand Cricket World T20 campaign review, which recommended all coaching and support staff roles be advertised at the completion of their contract periods.

The series against Australia gets under way in Perth on February 22 and high performance coach Bob Carter has been appointed as interim coach.

Tiffen said given the nature of the recent review it was in the team’s best interests that she did not join the team when they depart on Monday.

‘‘I just want to do what’s best for the team,’’ she said. ‘‘The review was fairly confronting and challenging and I can’t really imagine being in the right frame of mind to help this side during the upcoming Rose Bowl series.

‘‘I love the players; I love the team and I love the job – but for everyone’s sake I think this is the best course of action at the moment.’’

The White Ferns failed to advance from pool play at last year’s World Twenty20 in the Caribbean amid reports about disharmony among senior players and questions over Tiffen’s leadership.

Alarm bells sounded pre-tournament when New Zealand’s star player Suzie Bates announced she was stepping aside as captain and handing over to Amy Satterthwaite.

Bates later acknowledged differences of opinion with Tiffen on selection and tension between the pair on the tour of England.