After seven successful years, Gary Stead will no longer serve as New Zealand’s coach.
Stead had taken some time to consider whether to step down from half of his duties. After reflection, he realized it was time to leave the role entirely. The 53-year-old coach is now bidding farewell after a fruitful tenure leading New Zealand cricket.
In April, Stead announced he would step down as the white-ball coach. His contract as the Test coach expires this month, and on Wednesday he confirmed he will not renew it.
Though stepping away from the role, Stead’s impact on New Zealand cricket will be lasting. The country’s greatest cricketing achievements came under his leadership.
Under his guidance, New Zealand won the inaugural ICC World Test Championship in 2021 — the greatest success in Kiwi cricket history. Before that, the country’s only major title was the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy (now the Champions Trophy).
During his time, New Zealand also reached the top of the Test rankings for the first time. Last October-November, they made history by winning a Test series 3-0 in India — a feat no other team has managed there.
Success and consistency followed in other formats as well. Taking over from Mike Hesson in 2018, Stead was tasked with maintaining New Zealand’s momentum in cricket. He not only met but surpassed expectations, taking the team to new heights.
At the 2019 World Cup, New Zealand reached the final with an outstanding performance but narrowly lost in a dramatic finish due to fewer boundaries scored.
Under Stead’s coaching, New Zealand also reached the finals of the 2021 T20 World Cup and the recent Champions Trophy, as well as the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup.
Kane Williamson, who worked closely with Stead for many years as captain, paid tribute to the departing coach:
“Stead has given everything for the team. There was no one more hardworking or driven to see the Black Caps grow and succeed. His planning and preparation were always detailed and precise. He will be remembered as one of our best coaches, but as a person, he is even better.”
After stepping down, Stead plans to take some rest before returning to coaching, refreshed and ready.
When Stead left his white-ball coaching role, New Zealand Cricket was considering appointing separate coaches for each format. That plan has since changed, and they may now opt to hire just one coach for all formats.
