Gary Stead to Leave as NZ Coach in June

Gary Stead will step down as New Zealand's Black Caps coach at the end of June, ending a seven-year tenure highlighted by the team's 2021 World Test Championship win and appearances in the 2019 ODI World Cup, 2021 T20 World Cup, and 2025 Champions Trophy finals. He also led the team to a 3-0 Test sweep over India and helped maintain New Zealand's strong international competitiveness. Stead's departure comes as New Zealand Cricket shifts to a single head coach across all formats, a role that would require more travel than Stead preferred. He is spending his final weeks preparing the team for their July tour of Zimbabwe. Former players and officials have commended Stead for his leadership, work ethic, and success in rejuvenating the squad with young talent. Speculation continues about who will succeed him.