Stead to step down as limited overs coach, still mulling Test role

Black Caps coach Gary Stead is stepping down from cricket's white ball formats, it was announced today.

A New Zealand Cricket statement this morning said Stead would decide in the next few weeks if he would reapply for the Test role.

Given the timing of the release and his decision to step down from limited overs cricket, it would seem likely that he will apply again for the longer format.

Stead was first appointed in charge of all forms of the game in 2018 following the resignation of Mike Hesson, and has twice had his contract renewed: in 2020, and in 2023. The latter will expire in June this year.

Stead, 53, led the Black Caps to the inaugural World Test Championship title in 2021 and to an unprecedented three-nil Test series sweep of India on the sub-continent last year.

The Black Caps have just finished a domestic series against Pakistan, during which they beat the visitors 4-1 in the T20s and 3-0 in the ODIs.

Their next assignment is a ODI Tri-Series against Zimbabwe and South Africa in Zimbabwe which starts in July.

“I’m looking forward to getting away from touring life for a while and having a think about my future,” said Stead after confirming he would step down as white ball coach.

“My focus has been on finishing the season strongly with a lesser experienced team.

“The past six to seven months has been particularly busy with relatively non-stop cricket action since September.

“I now want to evaluate my options but still feel I have coaching left in me, albeit not as head coach across all formats.

“The next month will give me the opportunity to discuss the situation more with my wife, family and others.

“I’ll be in a better position to know whether I want to reapply for the Test coaching position after this time of reflection.”

NZC chief high performance officer Bryan Stronach said Stead deserved the opportunity to take some time out over his decision.

“Gary’s results have been very impressive over a long period and we’re very comfortable giving him some time to collect his thoughts and mull things over,” said Stronach.

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Gary Stead, who has held the head coach's role since 2018, has so far remained stony-faced and tight-lipped when it comes to questions about his future.

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“At the moment we haven’t any strong preference for either a split-coaching role or a sole appointment who covers all three formats, and we’re unlikely to be clearer on that until we see who’s putting their name forward.”

Advertising for the position, both in full and/or in part, will commence within the next week.