Gary Stead will remain the head coach of New Zealand’s cricket team in all formats until the end of the 2025 World Test Championship cycle, according to New Zealand Cricket (NZC). Despite considering the appointment of separate coaches for test and limited-overs cricket, NZC decided that Stead would be able to handle the workload.
Bryan Stronach, NZC’s high-performance chief, stated that with most of the leading players participating in all three formats and a strong and positive team culture, there were clear benefits in maintaining the status quo. Stead had previously suggested the idea of a separate limited-overs head coach, but now believes that such a division is not suitable for New Zealand due to the country’s size and smaller player pool compared to other nations.
Instead, Stead will be supported by short-term consultant coaches for individual tours, who will bring specialist skills or knowledge of specific formats and overseas conditions. 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 and have other staff step in. He emphasized the need for balance and sustainability, stating that being away from home for long periods is unsustainable for both players and staff.
Since his appointment in 2018, Stead has guided New Zealand to the final of the 2019 one-day World Cup and victory in the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021. His immediate focus now turns to preparing the team for the upcoming one-day World Cup in India, followed by the T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies next year.
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