Gary Stead 'can’t wait to get started'

“It’s a matter of helping maintain New Zealand’s strong form on the international scene, but also respecting what’s happened over the past four or five years by continuing to push for improvement,” said Stead in a statement after his appointment on Wednesday, 15 August.

“This is a well-established and high-performing BlackCaps side with an excellent captain in Kane Williamson, and a real desire to win series and titles," he added. “It’s an honour and a privilege to be part of that, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Stead will replace Mike Hesson, who had stepped down as head coach in July this year.

His first international assignment will be the upcoming multi-format series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in October, followed by a busy home season against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India.

Stead's two-year term will also see him helping the team in two major events – the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales, and the ICC World T20 2020 in Australia.

"I am going to go into the role with my eyes wide open. I believe in the first three to six months is a chance to go in with fresh eyes," Stead said speaking to the media. "I'll be able to see things people who have been there a long time won't see.

"It's clearly been a successful time under Mike Hesson and Kane Williamson recently, and my intentions aren't to throw that all (their achievements) out out the window. But I will have some that sure will be new, that will challenge our group as well and I hope that at the end of the day, that keeps working towards an improved performance."

"But I will have ideas that will hopefully add to the group as well. I want to foster and continue to maintain what is great about our team and then find ways that we can make small gains because at the end of the day we want to win peak events," he went on.

"We want to win the World Cup. We want to win the (ICC) Test Championship. That will be my goal to hopefully set the track in pulling it all together and keeping it all on the right track."

David White, New Zealand Cricket's Chief Executive, called Stead "the outstanding candidate" for the role.

“We’re delighted for Gary – he has excellent qualifications, a solid temperament, vast experience, and is open to innovation," White said.

“I also think it’s great NZC is continuing to invest in, and recognise the primacy of, our own domestic competitions and coaching programmes.”

White also gae out that the board has given Stead "flexibility to introduce specialist coaching support" if and when deemed advantageous, and particularly in terms of the T20 format.

Stead has had a successful coaching role with Canterbury and with the White Ferns, the New Zealand national women's team.

Stead, who will take charge from next month, said getting the role "is a dream come true".

"I used to think that coaching Canterbury was the dream job. But I guess this is the new path in my progression and something I think up until recently I haven't really thought a lot about but now I've got the opportunity ... yes, it's a dream come true," he said.