After six intense years at the helm of New Zealand’s men’s cricket team across all formats, Gary Stead is stepping down from his role as white-ball head coach — and considering his future with the Test side.
The 53-year-old has been a central figure in New Zealand Cricket (NZC) since 2018, guiding the team through some of its most successful white-ball campaigns, including the 2019 Cricket World Cup final, the 2021 T20 World Cup final, and this year’s Champions Trophy final. With his contract set to expire in June, Stead confirmed on Tuesday that he would not seek to continue in the limited-overs role.
“Right now, I’m looking forward to stepping away from the touring lifestyle for a bit and taking some time to reflect,” Stead said. “The past six to seven months have been especially demanding, with barely a break in the calendar since September.”
While he’s stepping back from the white-ball spotlight, Stead hasn’t ruled out continuing with the red-ball team. “I still feel I’ve got more to give as a coach, though not necessarily across all formats,” he explained. “The next few weeks will give me the space to have some important conversations with my wife, family, and others before I decide whether I want to reapply for the Test coaching job.”
The Rise of a Potential Split Model
Stead’s departure comes at a pivotal time for NZC, which is actively exploring the idea of having separate head coaches for different formats — a model already adopted by other major cricketing nations.
Rob Walter, who recently stepped down as South Africa’s white-ball coach, has been linked to a potential role within New Zealand’s setup, further fuelling speculation around the restructuring.
Bryan Stronach, NZC’s chief of high performance, voiced full support for Stead’s decision to take his time. “Gary’s track record speaks for itself — he’s led the team to historic heights, and he’s absolutely earned the right to step back and evaluate what comes next,” Stronach said.
As for the path ahead, Stronach confirmed the board is keeping its options open: “We don’t have a fixed stance on whether we go with a split-coaching system or one person overseeing all formats. That’ll depend on the pool of applicants and what structure makes the most sense going forward.”
A Legacy of Quiet Excellence
Stead’s tenure has been marked by a quiet but firm leadership style. He helped guide New Zealand to their first-ever ICC title with the World Test Championship win in 2021 and recently led the team to an impressive 3-0 Test series sweep over India — a rare feat for any side.
To manage the punishing schedule of modern cricket, Stead has often delegated duties to assistants like Luke Ronchi, especially for white-ball tours, showcasing his ability to lead collaboratively and sustainably.
As the cricketing world waits to see what path Stead will choose, one thing is clear: his impact on New Zealand cricket has been profound.
