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Photograph: (Source: Newsday)
According to the ICC's official website, Gary Stead, the head coach of the New Zealand men's team, will leave his job when his contract expires at the end of June. After New Zealand Cricket decided to hire a single head coach for all three forms, Stead, who had previously left as white-ball coach, was disqualified from a Test-only position.
Stead had some time to consider his relationship with NZC after resigning from his coaching position in White ball formats, particularly in light of the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for the 2025–2027 season. The 53-year-old participated in NZC's recently revealed Central Contracts. Following Mike Hesson's resignation as coach in 2018, Stead took over and led New Zealand cricket through one of its heydays, winning the Champions Trophy and making it to the finals of the ODI and T20 World Cups.
New Zealand Cricket Coach Gary Stead Ends an Era:
News | Gary Stead’s highly successful seven years in charge of the BLACKCAPS will officially conclude when his contract finishes at the end of this month. Story | https://t.co/vCp1Fm7rtQpic.twitter.com/1NmYTxjuas
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 4, 2025
With the side winning the ICC World Test Championship in 2021, dominating the Test Rankings, and defeating India 3-0 in an away Test series last year, the coach had a successful seven years in the position. During his tenure, the team also topped the ODI rankings and advanced to the finals of the Men's Champions Trophy 2025, Men's Cricket World Cup 2019, and T20 World Cup 2021, in addition to making semi-final appearances at international competitions.
In 2021, New Zealand won their first major championship since the ICC Knockouts Tournament in 2000, becoming the first WTC Champions under Stead. In 2021, New Zealand won their first Test series in England in 22 years. In 2024, they accomplished an unthinkable feat: a clean sweep over India.
After his affiliation with New Zealand ended, Stead stated in the press conference, "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. 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."
Stead may be regarded as New Zealand's best coach due to his significant accomplishments in the ICC Tournaments and bilateral series.
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