Former BLACKCAP, Otago Volt and Canterbury cricketer Craig Cumming has taken the Otago Sparks to new heights as Head Coach - but the reigning Hallyburton Johnstone Shield champions will soon need a new mentor when he takes up a new role offshore.
Cumming, 49, has been appointed as head coach of Nottingham's Blaze team ahead of their first season as part of the UK's new "Tier 1" women's domestic structure, starting in the 2025 UK summer.
The Sparks were once frequent domestic stragglers on the New Zealand national scene, but Cumming is widely respected for the way he has transformed the culture and winning mindset, with the obligatory hours of throwdowns accompanying his keen eye and tactical nous.
Beginning in a part-time role in 2020 before becoming the Sparks' first fulltime head coach in 2022, notably he has taken the southerners to two 50-over Hallyburton Johnstone Shield titles in the space of just four years - and they were also 2022 Dream11 Super Smash Grand Finalists.
Cumming coached New Zealand A to a series win over England A last season | PHOTOSPORT
His players, including Eden Carson and Polly Inglis, have poured into the WHITE FERNS' set-up and his team has got off to a flying start in their latest title defence this season, but it will be bittersweet day should they reach the 1 March 2025 Final in Dunedin again - with Cumming meanwhile set to arrive in the United Kingdom after NZC's Dream11 Super Smash window, before the one-dayers recommence.
Cumming said he felt "very humbled and privileged" to be selected to coach the Blaze, having already visited the team while in the UK over the last couple of years on consultancy stints.
Cumming will replace Chris Guest as the team's Head Coach after Guest was appointed to take charge of England's Women's Under 19 squad ahead of the upcoming ICC U19 World Cup in Malaysia.
Blaze director of cricket, James Cutt, said Cumming's success as a coach speaks for itself.
"In a relatively short period of time, Craig has had a significant impact at Otago, who have been a pre-eminent force in New Zealand women's cricket in the past few years.
"I'm excited to see how we can evolve under his leadership."
Otago Cricket Association performance general manager Steve Martin said Cumming’s legacy would be his development of a culture and environment that had established a strong foundation for the women’s professional game to thrive.
“Craig has done a tremendous job developing players through his technical and tactical expertise, and his ability to create quality performance team environments,’’ Martin said.
‘‘We wish him well as he moves into the next phase of his coaching journey at the [UK] Blaze.”