Gary Stead announced New Zealand's head coach
Former New Zealand cricketer Gary Stead has been named as the nation's head coach. Stead has penned a 2-year contract with the Black Caps. Stead will start his tenure from next month onwards. He is replacing Mike Hesson, who departed in June, 2018. His first assignment will be against Pakistan in UAE in October. Here is more about Stead and his new job.
Black Caps' new head coach
A look at Stead's profile
Gary Stead played 5 Tests for New Zealand back in 1999. He averaged 34.75 with a best of 78. The former batsman played 101 First-class matches and amassed 4,984 runs with a best of 190. In his previous coaching role, he helped the Kiwi eves reach the final of the 2009 World Cup. He also helped Canterbury to seal three Plunket Shield titles.
Stead familiar with the Kiwi set-up
Stead was also a New Zealand Cricket High Performance Centre coach from 2004-2008. In 2016-17, Stead came into the men's national team set-up after being inducted as their support and batting coach. His main task will be to manage the side well in two of the most coveted events lined up- ICC World Cup 2019 and the ICC World Twenty20 in 2020.
Stead wants to push for improvement
Stead wants to drive Black Caps' existing campaign plans and also bring in new set of ideas for crucial tournaments in the radar. "It's a matter of helping maintain New Zealand's strong form on the international scene, but also respecting what's happened over the past four or five years by continuing to push for improvement," he said.
Stead and Williamson could enjoy a fruitful association
Stead acknowledged the hard work put in by the side under Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson. He lauded Kane's hunger in winning series and matches. The phase will be interesting for Stead and Williamson alike. Can the Kiwis continue their run achieved under Hesson?
