Gary Stead to Conclude Tenure as New Zealand’s Head Coach

Gary Stead, the most accomplished national coach in New Zealand’s cricket history, is set to resign from his position at the end of this month, marking the conclusion of an impressive seven-year period.

Stead’s leadership saw the team achieve significant milestones, including securing the World Test Championship (WTC) title, reaching three global limited-overs finals, and achieving a remarkable 3-0 Test series victory in India.

Having already stepped back from his responsibilities in white-ball cricket, the 53-year-old was granted time to deliberate on his involvement with the Test side.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is reportedly preparing to appoint a single coach to oversee all formats, leading to Stead’s departure upon the expiration of his contract.

Stead’s appointment in 2018, following Mike Hesson’s departure, left a lasting impact on New Zealand cricket.

Key Achievements Under Stead’s Guidance
  • The team reached the 2019 ODI World Cup final, experiencing a narrow defeat against England.
  • He guided New Zealand to their first global title in over two decades, defeating India in the 2021 WTC final.
  • Stead also coached New Zealand to the 2021 T20 World Cup final and the 2025 Champions Trophy final.
  • The team reached the semi-finals of both the 2022 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup.

A significant accomplishment occurred last year when New Zealand became the first team to achieve a 3-0 Test series sweep against India on their home ground.

Stead’s Reflections on His Tenure

Reflecting on his seven years as head coach, Gary Stead conveyed his profound pride and gratitude for the journey he undertook alongside his players and staff.

“Over the past seven years, there have been amazing memories created alongside a group of talented individuals dedicated to giving their best for their nation, each other, and the fans,” Stead stated. “Brendon McCullum and Mike Hesson instilled strong values and a distinct style of play, and I aimed to build upon that foundation to enhance our consistency.”

“I hope that, regardless of the outcomes, opposing teams recognize the Blackcaps as a resilient team with the determination to compete. It has been a privilege to work alongside some of New Zealand’s finest cricketers and witness their training and matches up close. For a nation of five million people with limited resources, our performance against the major cricketing nations is truly outstanding.”

Stead expressed his appreciation for the support he received during his time with the team.

“I extend my gratitude to everyone who has supported me, particularly my wife Rachel and children Alex and Libby. I also thank NZC and the support staff who work tirelessly with the team. I wish the new coach and the team every success in the future.”

Stead intends to take some time off initially but affirmed his continued passion for coaching and his interest in exploring future opportunities in cricket, both domestically and internationally.

“I will initially take time to recharge, but I still aspire to explore coaching opportunities where I can share my experiences from 30 years in professional sport.”

Tributes to Gary Stead

Kane Williamson, the long-standing captain, expressed his appreciation for Gary Stead’s contributions.

“Steady devoted himself entirely to the team,” Williamson remarked. “His dedication and passion for the Blackcaps’ growth and success were unmatched. His meticulous planning and preparation will secure his place as one of our finest coaches.”

Scott Weenink, Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket (NZC), also lauded Gary Stead’s tenure, emphasizing his leadership and achievements.

“Gary has been an exceptional leader for the BLACKCAPS, consistently elevating the team to the top of world cricket,” Weenink stated. “His achievements, including the World Test Championship victory and historic series wins abroad, have inspired the nation and established a new standard of excellence for New Zealand cricket. On behalf of NZC, I extend our deepest gratitude to Gary for his dedication and wish him success in his future endeavours.”