Gary Stead, who has served as the head coach of the New Zealand cricket team since 2018, has stepped down from his role in white-ball cricket. He initially took over the position following Mike Hesson’s resignation and has since led the team through a successful era.
His contract, extended twice in 2020 and 2023, was originally set to run until June. During his tenure, Stead guided New Zealand to several significant achievements, including a historic 3-0 Test series sweep in India and victory in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship in 2021.
Before taking charge of the men’s team, Stead also led the New Zealand women’s team to the final of the 2009 Women’s ODI World Cup, where they finished as runners-up to England.
Gary Stead to Take Time Before Deciding on Test Coaching Future
Gary Stead has announced that he will take a few months to consider his future as New Zealand’s Test coach, expressing a desire to step back from the demands of touring and spend more time at home. Under his leadership, New Zealand reached the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the 2021 T20 World Cup, and the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
“I’m looking forward to getting away from touring life for a while and having a think about my future,” Stead told Cricbuzz. “The past six to seven months have been particularly busy with almost non-stop cricket since September. I still feel I have coaching left in me, though maybe not as head coach across all formats.”
The 53-year-old said he plans to use the next month to reflect and consult with his wife, family, and close friends before making a decision about reapplying for the Test coaching role.
“In the coming weeks, I’ll talk things through with my wife, family, and others. That time will help me decide whether I want to reapply for the Test role,” he added.
In recent years, Stead has begun delegating responsibilities across formats. Assistant coach Luke Ronchi has taken charge of several white-ball series, allowing Stead occasional breaks from the demanding international schedule.