New Zealand Cricket Coach Gary Stead Announces Departure from White-Ball Formats

Sports News - Gary Stead, the head coach of New Zealand's cricket team, has revealed his decision to step down from his role in white-ball cricket. This move marks a significant shift in the country's cricket landscape, with Stead having been at the helm since 2018.

A Noteworthy Tenure

During his time as coach, Stead has led the team to several notable achievements, including 

- Historic World Test Championship victory in 2021

- Dominant Test series win over India on Indian soil in 2023

- Champions Trophy final appearance in Pakistan and UAE

- Cricket World Cup Final appearance in 2019

- T20 World Cup Final appearance in 2021

Stead's Future Plans

Stead expressed his desire to take a break from the touring life and reassess his coaching career. "I am saying goodbye to  touring life for a while and will think about my future endeavours ," he stated. Stead plans to take the next month to reflect on his decision and discuss his options with his loved ones.

New Zealand Cricket's Response

New Zealand Cricket's Chief High Performance Officer, Bryan Stronach, acknowledged Stead's impressive achievements and offered him the time and space to consider his future. "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," Stronach said.

What's Next?

The coaching positions for white-ball and Test cricket will be advertised soon, with New Zealand Cricket considering various options, including a split-coaching role or a sole appointment covering all three formats.