New Zealand Head Coach Gary Stead Steps Down from White-Ball Duties After Six-Year Tenure

In a significant move ahead of the next international cricket cycle, Gary Stead has officially stepped down from his role as New Zealand's head coach in the One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) formats. Appointed in 2018, Stead guided the Black Caps through some of their most memorable white-ball campaigns, including a thrilling run to the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup final and consistent performances across bilateral series.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed on April 8, 2025, that Stead will no longer be leading the white-ball sides. However, he remains in contention for the Test coaching role, with NZC indicating that he will be taking a short break to consider his future options.

A Strategic Transition for New Zealand Cricket

The decision comes as New Zealand Cricket shifts towards adopting a split-coaching model to align with the increasing demands and specialization required in modern-day cricket. With multiple bilateral and ICC events occurring simultaneously across formats, several cricket boards worldwide have begun appointing format-specific head coaches to maximize efficiency and results.

David White, NZC's chief executive, stated:

“Gary has been an integral part of New Zealand cricket’s development over the past few years. His calm demeanor, strategic acumen, and deep understanding of the game have been instrumental to the team's successes. This transition is not just about a change in personnel but about positioning our team for the future.”

Success and Milestones Under Gary Stead

Gary Stead took over from Mike Hesson in 2018 and quickly formed a solid working relationship with then-captain Kane Williamson. Together, they led New Zealand to:

  • 2019 ICC World Cup Final: A match that went down as one of the greatest in cricket history, where New Zealand lost to England by the narrowest of margins after a Super Over.

  • Top Rankings: New Zealand consistently maintained top-three rankings in both ODI and T20 formats during Stead’s tenure.

  • 2021 ICC World Test Championship Final Win: Although a Test achievement, this victory added weight to Stead’s reputation as a holistic coach.

Why Now?

Sources close to the development suggest that the intense workload of coaching across all three formats played a role in Stead’s decision. With growing attention on player and staff workload management, especially post-COVID, the move seems to be a mutually beneficial step.

Stead himself said in a statement:

“It’s been a true honor to coach the Black Caps in all formats. I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a unit. However, this is a good time to reflect and recharge, and assess where I can contribute best to New Zealand cricket in the future.”

What’s Next for Gary Stead?

While his resignation only applies to ODIs and T20Is, Stead hasn’t ruled out the possibility of continuing as the Test head coach. New Zealand Cricket has not yet confirmed who will take over as the permanent white-ball coach but is expected to make an interim appointment before their next limited-overs assignment.

There’s speculation that Luke Ronchi, the current batting coach, or Shane Bond, with vast T20 coaching experience in leagues like the IPL, could be top contenders for the role. NZC will reportedly open a global search for a new white-ball coach soon.

A New Era in Sight

This transition period offers New Zealand a chance to restructure and rebuild, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup and 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup on the horizon. The focus now will be on developing a leadership group within the white-ball formats and identifying new talent to complement the existing core of seasoned players like Devon Conway, Trent Boult, and Glenn Phillips.

Adopting a split-coaching approach may also open up pathways for innovative strategies, greater squad rotation, and tailored game plans for each format — a model that has yielded success for other cricketing giants such as England and India.

Global Reactions and Support

Players, coaches, and fans have shared messages of appreciation for Stead on social media, lauding his calm, composed, and tactical leadership style. Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum tweeted:

“Massive respect to Gary Stead. His contributions to NZ cricket across formats have been monumental. Wishing him all the best for what’s next.”

Current Test captain Kane Williamson added during a press interaction:

“Gary has been a fantastic mentor and coach. His deep cricketing brain and support for players at every level have been a driving force behind our progress.”