New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced that Gary Stead will remain as the head coach of the national team in all formats of the game until the end of the World Test Championship cycle in 2025. The decision comes after NZC considered appointing separate coaches for test and limited overs cricket but ultimately decided that Stead was capable of handling the workload.
The decision to extend Stead’s contract was based on several factors, including the fact that many of the country’s leading players participate in all three formats of the game. Additionally, the positive and strong culture within the team was seen as a significant benefit of maintaining the status quo, according to Bryan Stronach, NZC’s high performance chief.
Stead himself had previously suggested the possibility of having a separate limited overs head coach, but he now believes that such a division is not suitable for New Zealand. He explained that the country has a smaller pool of players compared to others, making a split coaching model less relevant.
Instead of separate coaches, Stead will be supported by short-term consultant coaches for individual tours. These consultants will bring specialist skills and knowledge of formats and conditions overseas. Recent appointments have included Stephen Fleming, Shane Bond, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Thilan Samaraweera.
Stead will also have the flexibility to opt out of certain tour commitments, allowing other staff to step in. He expressed that being away from home for long periods of time is unsustainable for both players and staff.
Since his appointment in 2018, Stead has achieved significant success with the New Zealand team. He guided them to the final of the 2019 one-day World Cup and led them to victory in the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021.
Stead’s immediate focus will now be on preparing the Black Caps for the upcoming one-day World Cup in India, which will take place in October-November. This will be followed by the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the United States and West Indies next year.
The decision to retain Stead as head coach reflects NZC’s confidence in his abilities and his contribution to the team’s success. With a strong and positive team culture, the New Zealand Cricket board believes that sticking with the status quo will yield the best results in the coming years.
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