Gary Stead named as New Zealand Head Coach as Mike Hesson retires from the position

[AssassinatedDevil]

Mike Hesson will resign as coach of the BLACKCAPS, effective from July 31.

The man who helped steer the BLACKCAPS to new heights in all three formats, has decided to step down from the head-coaching role in order to take a break from the rigours of international cricket, and to spend more time with his wife and children.

After six successful years in the role, Hesson said he no longer felt confident of fully committing to the role for another twelve months, and thought it better to make the decision now rather than later.

“This job requires 100 percent commitment and is all consuming,” he said. “I know what’s required over the next 12 months, but if I’m honest, I don’t feel I have the capacity to give the job what it deserves.

“NZC, in particular David White and the board, have given me incredible support, including flexibility and options. But the idea of missing a match, a tour or a format, as has been proposed at different times, has never sat well with me.”

Hesson said there was a long list of people he would be thanking over coming days and weeks but that, at this moment, he wanted to make special mention of two groups of people very close to his heart.

“I couldn’t let this opportunity pass without acknowledging my wife Kate and our daughters Holly and Charlie, who have sacrificed so much for me over the past six years.

“And I just want to place on record my gratitude to all the players and support staff.

“I love the team and have great hopes about what they will be able to achieve. I’ll always be a supporter.”

Hesson was at pains to emphasise he had not accepted a position with another employer or team, and that his motivation for standing down was based purely on a need to pause and refresh after six hectic years, and to play a closer role within his family.

NZC chief executive David White said NZC supported Hesson’s decision and understood the basis for it – but was still sad to see him step down.

“I tried to persuade him to stay on for another 12 months but his mind was made up,” said Mr White. “We understand his position.

“Mike has overseen one of NZC’s most successful periods of international cricket, he’s more than realised the potential we saw in him back in 2012, and has grown into one of the most respected coaches on the international circuit.

“At the same time, he’s carried a torch for coaches in all sports, demonstrating through his success that top-level coaching is not exclusively or necessarily the domain of former star players.”

Mr White said that, as Hesson’s contract was due to expire at the end of next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, NZC’s planning was already well-advanced.

“The recruitment process will commence shortly. We have a resourceful and well-respected captain; the leadership team within the squad is strong, and the support staff is very experienced.

“We think it’s important the successful candidate or candidates complement(s) the existing environment.”

New Zealand’s next assignment is the series against Pakistan, in the United Arab Emirates, in October-November.

BLACKCAPS’ captain Kane Williamson said Hesson would be remembered as a selfless coach, and someone who extracted the maximum potential from his teams.

“Mike exemplified the “team-first” attitude he himself talked about and left no stone unturned in terms of leading the side to success,” said Williamson.

“I’ve witnessed his work-ethic first-hand and have seen the sacrifices he’s made, and I can only say I have the utmost respect for what he’s achieved.”

Former BLACKCAPS’ captain Brendon McCullum said Hesson’s progressive approach to coaching, and expert team management was a key factor behind the side’s renaissance over the past five or six years.

“We remember the 2015 World Cup as a great time for New Zealand and Mike should be recognised for the huge part he played in that,” said McCullum.

“His meticulous planning and eye for detail gave us our best chance of success and he can be proud of what he helped the team achieve.

“Personally, I regard him as the best coach the BLACKCAPS have ever had.”

MIKE HESSON: FACT SHEET
•
Age: 43
•
Appointed coach 2012
•
Tests: 53 (21 wins, 13 draws, 19 losses)
•
ODIs: 119 (65 wins, 8 NR/ties, 46 losses)
•
T20Is: 59 (30 wins, 5 NR/ties, 24 losses)

•
New Zealand’s first-ever series win (in any format) in South Africa (2013, ODI Series)
•
A New Zealand record five Test wins in 2014-15
•
A New Zealand record ten consecutive wins (in all formats) in 2015, and again in 2016-17.
•
Qualified for the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
•
Only New Zealand’s fourth Test series win over England in 88 years (2017-18)
•
The BLACKCAPS ascent to No.1 ranking in T20Is; No.2 in ODIs, and No.3 in Tests.
•
Awarded the ONZM for Services to Cricket (2015)

 

[Arham_PakFan]

NZ did very well under him.His partnership with McCullum was very good.

 

[Hasan123]

Surprising timing with the WC 1 year away. He did a good job. Going to be a hard act to follow.

 

[Varun]

He came to the role in cloudy circumstances, but along with McCullum supercharged that team to great heights.

Well done on a top coaching career!

 

[Abdullah719]

Gary Stead replaces Mike Hesson as Black Caps coach

Canterbury coach and former New Zealand test batsman Gary Stead will take over the Black Caps from Mike Hesson on a two-year contract.

New Zealand Cricket announced the replacement for Hesson on Wednesday morning, confirming Stuff's report last week that Stead had got the nod with a unanimous panel recommendation to the board, beating out the other shortlisted candidate Heinrich Malan from the Central Stags.

Stead, 46, played five tests after emerging through the powerhouse Canterbury team of the 1990s, notching 101 first-class matches over 14 seasons and scoring 4984 runs at 32.

On retirement in 2006 he quickly turned to coaching and guided the women's White Ferns to the 2009 World Cup final, where they lost to England, before taking the Canterbury men's job in 2012.

In his five seasons at the helm, Canterbury won three Plunket Shield titles in 2014, 2015 and 2017, and one Ford Trophy 50-over final in 2017.

Stead was chosen by a panel made up of NZC chief executive David White, current test wicketkeeper BJ Watling, former Black Cap Luke Ronchi, former national selector and test opener and current Wellington coach Bruce Edgar, NZC board member Don Mackinnon and NZC head of high performance, Bryan Stronach. Ronchi was absent for the final stages of the process to play in the Caribbean Premier League.

Stead will start on September 1, with his first assignment the tour of the United Arab Emirates starting in late October, where the Black Caps will face Pakistan in three Twenty20 internationals, three ODIs and three tests. Those squads have already been announced, chosen by selector Gavin Larsen and Hesson in the coach's final act before departing.

The main target for Stead is next year's World Cup in the UK, while the Black Caps also host England and India in tests in the 2019-20 season and are confirmed to play the 2019 Boxing Day test against Australia in Melbourne.

A feature of Stead's contract is the flexibility for him to co-opt additional expertise or specialist coaching support if required, particularly in the T20 format, which potentially opens the way for the likes of former skipper Stephen Fleming to become involved.

"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," Stead said in a statement.

"This is a well-established and high-performing Black Caps side with an excellent captain in Kane Williamson, and a real desire to win series and titles.

"It's an honour and a privilege to be part of that, and I can't wait to get started."

NZC chief executive David White noted the appointment followed a thorough, transparent and consultative process, which involved player representation on the appointments panel and regular feedback from the wider player group.

He said Stead was an outstanding candidate who came from a background steeped in high performance.

"We're delighted for Gary - he has excellent qualifications, a solid temperament, vast experience, and is open to innovation," White said.

"I also think it's great NZC is continuing to invest in, and recognise the primacy of, our own domestic competitions and coaching programmes."

Hesson's tearful departure a year out from the next Cricket World Cup came as a shock in June when resigned to spend more time with family after taking on the demanding role in 2012.

"I know what's required in the role over the next 12 months, and if I'm honest, I don't feel I've got the capacity to give the job what it deserves," Hesson said when announcing his exit.

"I love the team and I have great hopes for what the future holds for the team and I will always be a supporter."

Under Hesson, the Black Caps made it to a World Cup final for the first time (2015), beat England in a test series for the first time in nearly 20 years (2018) and oversaw 13 successive wins in 2017-18.

BLACK CAPS UNDER HESSON 2012-2018

Tests: Played 53, won 21, lost 19, drawn 13. Current world ranking: 4

ODIs: Played 119, won 65, lost 46, tied 1, no result 7. Current world ranking: 3

Twenty20: Played 59, won 30, lost 24, tied 2, no result 3. Current world ranking: 5

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/106254130/gary-stead-replaces-mike-hesson-as-black-caps-coach

 

[UP]

He really turned around the ship. Prior to his arrival NZ was usually seen at 7 or 8.

 

[Pete Rose]

Built largely on playing at home?

 

[giri26]

Stead named BLACKCAPS Head Coach

Gary Stead has been appointed BLACKCAPS head coach on a two-year contract.

A former New Zealand Test player and highly-successful coach of Canterbury, Stead emerged as the preferred candidate for the BLACKCAPS job following the resignation of Mike Hesson in June.

The 46-year-old father of two has previously coached the WHITE FERNS to the final of the Women’s 50-over and T20 World Cups, and Canterbury to four titles in the four summers between 2013-14 and 2016-2017.

He was earlier a long-serving member of the Canterbury side which dominated representative cricket in New Zealand through the 1990s, in total playing 101 first-class matches and 103 List A 50-over contests.

Stead was also an NZC High Performance Centre coach between 2004 and 2008, helping develop emerging and Academy players, while revising and re-designing NZC’s Level 3 Coaching Course, and its elite coach appraisal system.

Familiar with the BLACKCAPS environment after standing in as a batting and support coach in the 2016-17 summer, he joins the side nine months out from the ICC Cricket World Cup in

England, and with the World T20 in Australia also falling within his contract period.

A feature of Stead’s contract is the flexibility for him to co-opt additional expertise or specialist coaching support if and when deemed advantageous, and particularly in terms of the T20 format.

Stead said he was looking forward to driving the BLACKCAPS existing campaign plans for the upcoming world cup, and putting in place new ones for other pinnacle events and series on his radar – including the World Test Championship, and the World T20 in 2020.

“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.

“This is a well-established and high-performing BLACKCAPS side with an excellent captain in Kane Williamson, and a real desire to win series and titles.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be part of that, and I can’t wait to get started.”

NZC chief executive David White noted the appointment followed a thorough, transparent and consultative process, which involved player representation on the appointments panel and regular feedback from the wider player group.

He said Stead was an outstanding candidate who came from a background steeped in high-performance, and had the ability to add value to the BLACKCAPS environment.

“We’re delighted for Gary - he has excellent qualifications, a solid temperament, vast experience, and is open to innovation.

“I also think it’s great NZC is continuing to invest in, and recognise the primacy of, our own domestic competitions and coaching programmes.”

Stead will officially start his two-year contract on September 1. His first assignment with the BLACKCAPS will be the Test, ODI and T20 series against Pakistan in the UAE, starting late October.

 

[giri26]

Recently appointed as the New Zealand men's head coach, Gary Stead feels his stint with the White Ferns will help him do his job well.

"The chance to have international experience was fantastic. It allows me to not completely go in cold into this role as well. Understanding the principles that go around an ICC event has been great. I really enjoyed my time with the girls. We were lucky enough to get into the semi-final (of ICC events) four times and make it into three finals," said Stead, who was in charge when the women's team made the final of the ICC Women's World Cup 2009.

The 46-year-old was appointed successor to Mike Hesson in August and has signed a two-year coaching stint with the Black Caps, which includes the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales, as well as the ICC World T20 2020 in Australia.

"I will have my own style, which I'm sure will be slightly different from Mike's, but I'm acutely aware the Black Caps environment has been very positive. I've been lucky to have been part of it for short periods. It's about me adapting to the culture and environment they have as it is the other way. It's about working out my non-negotiables and values as well, and where they sit within the team," he told New Zealand Herald.

"I'm well planned, I'll be thorough on the organisational side of things and I think I'm relatively balanced in terms of my emotions and moods.

"I'll try and take a situation for what it is without getting too up or down around things. At the end of the day, it's a game of cricket, albeit at the very top level, and you have to make sure people are enjoying what they're doing and are clear on the roles they've been asked to play," he added.

Stead's first assignment with New Zealand will be a tour of the United Arab Emirates, where they will take on Pakistan in an all-format series.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/844049