Tiffen ‘the right person for job’
New Zealand Cricket knew of ongoing tension between captain Suzie Bates and Haidee Tiffen, but insists the coach remains the right person to take the White Ferns forward.
On the day she announced she was stepping down after six years as skipper, Bates opened up on the frustrations which led to the decision. Some of those were differences with Tiffen, mainly over selection.
‘‘The selectors, not just Haidee, had a clear campaign plan on bringing youngsters through, and I was just fighting to pick our best team,’’ Bates told out the right way forward for the team. At times the captain and coach have differing opinions on how to get there. That’s pretty natural and happens in a lot of teams around selection and other things.’’
Bates, 31 on Sunday, is on track to become the country’s greatest woman cricketer, scorer of a record 7000 runs in ODI and T20 internationals and with plenty more to offer on field.
Now, it shines the spotlight on Tiffen ahead of the World Twenty20 in the West Indies in November, with the side’s poor show at the 50-over World Cup last year, and five straight losses to England this year still fresh.
Coach since 2015 and a longserving White Ferns player before that, Tiffen remained the best person for the job, Stronach said.
‘‘She’s got an amazing skillset and I don’t think in any team there won’t be a little bit of tension between players and coaches, particularly around selection.’’
Tiffen was re-appointed for two more years after the World Cup, which saw an independent review commissioned into the side’s performance.
Tiffen acknowledged ‘‘robust discussions’’ with Bates but felt the working relationship never got out of hand. She felt their ‘‘open and honest’’ chats would continue.
‘‘I want to support her in being the best player she can be, and she took a lot of courage to make this decision,’’ Tiffen said. ‘‘She’s still got a lot to add to the team with her experience and leadership.’’