INDIAN DOMESTIC CRICKET
Stead had a successful stint with New Zealand. © Getty
The Andhra team may have pulled off a coup of sorts. In a surprise move, the state association has secured the services of a World Test Championship-winning coach for the upcoming domestic season. Gary Stead, the coach of the all-conquering New Zealand side, has been roped in by the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA).
“We were initially looking at an Australian coach. Then a friend suggested, why not try Gary? So we reached out to him, and right from the very first conversation, we were struck by his preparedness. He came to the meeting with a complete understanding of our team,” ACA secretary Sana Sathish Babu told Cricbuzz, confirming the signing.
Stead had a highly successful seven-year stint with the Black Caps before ending his contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) earlier this year in June. Under him New Zealand rose to No 1 in the ICC Test and ODI rankings besides winning the World Test Championship in 2021 and reaching the World Cup final in 2019. Under him, the Kiwis beat India in the semifinal of the 2019 World Cup and in the final of the WTC, both in England.
Stead (53) is expected to reach Visakhapatnam in a week’s time. The parties have signed initially for one year but it is learnt that he has agreed to be with the state team for at least two years. He is believed to have wanted to have a look at the probables and will collaborate with the state selection committee.
As a pre-condition to the signing, Stead is believed to have requested the ACA that he be allowed to visit home in New Zealand during Christmas which the ACA readily agreed. His work visa in India is understood to have been approved and he is expected to take charge between September 20-25.
Andhra had a rather underwhelming season last year, finishing sixth in the Ranji Elite Group B with one win and three losses in seven games. In the VHT competition, they were fourth in the eight-team Group B and in SMAT, they had topped their group ahead of the eventual winners Mumbai, but lost to UP in the pre quarter finals.
Andhra have had a setback before the start of the season with senior pro Hanuma Vihari deciding to leave the state. The side will be led by Ricky Bhui with veteran spinner Saurabh Kumar as one of the senior members of the side. The state had signed the left-arm spinner from Uttar Pradesh as a professional for the season.
Stead, who had succeeded an accomplished coach like Mike Hesson in New Zealand, was eyed by a few IPL franchises too. But nothing seems to have been finalized so far.
© Cricbuzz
