Mike Hesson to step down as New Zealand coach

Mike Hesson will resign as coach of the New Zealand men’s cricket team, effective from July 31, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced on Thursday 7 June.

His contract was due to run out after next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales.

In a statement, NZC called Hesson ‘the man who helped steer the BLACKCAPS to new heights in all three formats’, and explained that the 43-year-old had decided to step down after a six-year stint in the position to spend more time with his wife and children.

“This job requires 100 per cent commitment and is all consuming,” said Hesson in a statement while making his decision public. “I know what’s required over the next 12 months, but if I’m honest, I don’t feel I have the capacity to give the job what it deserves.

“NZC, in particular David White [the NZC Chief Executive] and the board, have given me incredible support, including flexibility and options. But the idea of missing a match, a tour or a format, as has been proposed at different times, has never sat well with me.”

Hesson thanked his family – “who have sacrificed so much for me over the past six years” – and the national team players and support staff, adding that he was not stepping down to take up a position with another team, and that it was only because of “a need to pause and refresh after six hectic years, and to play a closer role within his family”.

Under Hesson, who took over in 2012, New Zealand have won 21 and lost 19 of their 53 Tests, won 65 and lost 46 of 119 one-day internationals and won 30 and lost 24 of their 59 Twenty20 Internationals.

In 2015, New Zealand qualified for the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time before going down to Australia. That aside, his list of achievements include the ODI series win in South Africa in 2013 – the first in the country in any format, five Test wins in the 2014-15 season, which is a New Zealand record, only the fourth New Zealand Test series win over England in 2017-18, and the rise to No.1 in T20Is, No.2 in ODIs and No.3 in Tests in the MRF Tyres ICC Team Rankings.

White said that he had made an effort to prevent Hesson from leaving. “I tried to persuade him to stay on for another 12 months but his mind was made up. We understand his position,” he said. “Mike has overseen one of NZC’s most successful periods of international cricket, he’s more than realised the potential we saw in him back in 2012, and has grown into one of the most respected coaches on the international circuit.

“At the same time, he’s carried a torch for coaches in all sports, demonstrating through his success that top-level coaching is not exclusively or necessarily the domain of former star players.”

Speaking on the development, Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain, said, “Mike exemplified the ‘team-first’ attitude he himself talked about and left no stone unturned in terms of leading the side to success. I’ve witnessed his work ethic first-hand and have seen the sacrifices he’s made, and I can only say I have the utmost respect for what he’s achieved.”

Prior to Williamson taking over as captain of the team, Hesson collaborated with Brendon McCullum.

“We remember the 2015 World Cup as a great time for New Zealand and Mike should be recognised for the huge part he played in that,” said McCullum. “His meticulous planning and eye for detail gave us our best chance of success and he can be proud of what he helped the team achieve.

“Personally, I regard him as the best coach the BLACKCAPS have ever had.”

White pointed out that though Hesson was expected to be around till the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, plans have been put in place to work out his successor.

“The recruitment process will commence shortly. We have a resourceful and well-respected captain; the leadership team within the squad is strong, and the support staff is very experienced,” said White. “We think it’s important the successful candidate or candidates complement(s) the existing environment.”

New Zealand will next be in action in October-November this year in the series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.