Gary Stead to step down as Black Caps head coach
Gary Stead will step down as Black Caps head coach at the end of the month.
Stead, who spent seven years in the role, confirmed he would step away as coach of the white ball formats last month.
New Zealand Cricket today confirmed that that decision effectively ruled him out of contention for the head coach role for Tests as the organisation had opted for one head coach across all three formats of the game.
Stead led the Black Caps to an inaugural ICC World Test Championship win in 2021 and an unprecedented three-nil Test series sweep of India on the sub-continent last year. He also took them to five out of six finals appearances in ICC white ball World Cups.
The 53-year-old said it had been a privilege to lead the team.
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'There's been some amazing memories over the past seven years based around a group of fantastic and talented people who have gone out to give their best for their country, each other and for the fans,' he said in a statement released by NZ Cricket.
'Brendon McCullum and Mike Hesson had left the team with strong values and a style of play, and I've just tried to build and shape that further to grow our ability to be consistent in everything we do.
'It's been nice to be competitive across all three formats and I'd like to think that regardless of results, the opposition know the Black Caps are a team that won't fold and will always show the grit and determination to compete.'
Stead cited the ICC World Test Championship victory and the three-nil sweep of India as highlights, alongside the way the team held themselves during and after the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
'To work alongside some of New Zealand's best cricketers and have had a ringside seat to every training and match has been very special and an absolute honour.
'For a country with five million people and limited resources, we comparatively perform outstandingly well against the other powerhouses of the game.
'I'd like to wish the new coach well and the team every success in the future.
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'I'll initially take some time to refresh and recharge, but I still have the coaching bug and will look to explore opportunities at home and abroad where I can look to share what I've learned from my 30 years of professional sport as a player and coach.'
Former Black Caps captain Kane Williamson saluted Stead.
'Steady gave absolutely everything to the team,' Williamson said.
'There was no one more hardworking and passionate about seeing the Black Caps grow and succeed.
'He was always thorough in his planning and preparation and will go down as one of our best coaches, but an even better bloke.'
Stead's final few weeks in charge will see him at the Black Caps' winter camps helping players prepare for July's tour to Zimbabwe.
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