Coach Haidee Tiffen 'not in right frame of mind' to tour with New Zealand

New Zealand women's coach Haidee Tiffen has decided she is not in the "right frame of mind" to be part of the tour of Australia later this month following the NZC review undertaken in the wake of the World T20 campaign.

With the team set to depart for Australia on February 18, Tiffen has requested a leave of absence, saying that given the nature of the recent review, which recommended the coaching and support staff roles be advertised at the end of the current contracts, it was best that she remained behind. High performance coach Bob Carter will tour with the side as interim coach in her absence.

"I just want to do what's best for the team," Tiffen 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."

New Zealand suffered a group-stage exit from the World T20 after losing two out of their four matches. They recently lost their home ODI series against India, but hit back with a clean sweep against the visitors in the three T20Is that followed.

Bryan Stronach, head of high performance, said NZC accepted Tiffen's request and would support her through the tough time.

"We totally respect her position and will work through this with her," Stronach said. "The high performance environment is an extremely challenging one and the most important thing we can do right now is to make sure we support Haidee."

Stronach also added Tiffen would keep her position until her contract ends on July 31, and that she had been encouraged to reapply for the position.