Gary Stead named New Zealand cricket coach

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WELLINGTON, Aug 15, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – New Zealand Cricket appointed former
Test batsman Gary Stead as the new Black Caps coach Wednesday, with pundits
describing him as a steady pair of hands to replace predecessor Mike Hesson.

Stead, 46, was a journeyman opening bat, playing just five Tests in 1999
before being dropped.

But he has excelled as a coach, guiding Canterbury to domestic titles in
2014, 2015 and 2017.

Stead said he wanted to continue the improvement New Zealand had shown
under Hesson.

“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,” he said.

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

Former batsman Peter Fulton said Stead would build on Hesson’s legacy.

“He’ll be very well organised, a lot of detail and a really good thinker
about the game,” he told Radio Sport.

“New Zealand Cricket have made it pretty obvious they were keen for
someone who’s going to come in and not rock the boat too much.”

Hesson announced his departure in June, even though he had a year left on
his contract, saying he had run out of steam and wanted to spend more time
with his family.

He oversaw improvements in all formats of the game, but the highlight of
his six-year tenure was New Zealand’s appearance in the final of the 2015
World Cup.