WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand Cricket has initiated the search for a new head coach to lead the Black Caps in all cricket formats, as Gary Stead’s continuance in the role has been officially concluded. Stead, who has been at the helm since 2018, had earlier stepped down from coaching the white ball formats in April and expressed uncertainty about his future as a test coach. The decision was expedited by NZC’s announcement on Wednesday, confirming their intent to find a single coach for all formats.
Prospective candidates expected to be considered for the role include South African Rob Walter, former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond, as well as current coaching assistants Luke Ronchi and Shane Jurgensen. These individuals are anticipated to be interviewed as part of the selection process.
During his tenure, Stead led the Black Caps in 52 test matches, securing 27 victories, including triumph in the inaugural World Test Championship. Under his guidance, New Zealand also won 56 out of 97 one-day internationals and 64 out of 119 Twenty20 internationals. Notably, the team was the runner-up at the 2019 World Cup due to a countback on boundaries rule and also achieved a runner-up position at this year’s Champions Trophy.
Stead assumed the coaching mantle from Mike Hesson, who had successfully worked alongside captain Brendon McCullum. Reflecting on his tenure, Stead remarked, “Brendon McCullum and Mike Hesson left the team with strong values and a distinctive style of play, and I’ve aimed to build on that foundation to enhance our consistency across the board. It’s gratifying to remain competitive in all three formats, and I’d like to believe that irrespective of the outcomes, our opponents recognize that the Black Caps are a team that won’t concede easily and consistently display grit and determination.”