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New Zealand Cricket CEO David White has been in charge since February 2012.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White believes his refusal to be “seduced by big celebrity names” has been beneficial for the Black Caps.
White, who announced on Wednesday morning that he will step down from the job in August after 12 years in charge, felt Mike Hesson and Gary Stead had done excellent jobs as head coaches of the men’s national side.
“One of things that I am very firm on is that when we do pick staff, and in particular coaches, I’d like to think that I don’t get seduced by big celebrity names,” White said.
“We’ve selected the right people with the right skillset to do the jobs.
“You go back to Mike Hesson, who we identified as a very capable coach who didn’t have a high profile. Gary Stead, even though he was a former international cricketer, didn’t have a high profile.”
Hesson’s appointment was one of White’s first major decisions in 2012, with the former Otago coach guiding New Zealand to the ODI World Cup final in Melbourne in 2015.
NZ Cricket
NZ Cricket boss David White, far right, at the announcement of Tim Southee replacing Kane Williamson as the Black Caps’ test captain. (Video first published December 2022).
He was replaced by Stead, who saw the Black Caps lose the 2019 World Cup in agonising fashion at Lord’s, win the inaugural World Test Championship final over India in 2021 and finish as T20 World Cup runners-up to Australia later that year.
“Investing in New Zealand coaches has been very important as well,” White said.
“The other thing we’ve done well over the years is consistent seIection. We have used a lot less players than previously, and I think that consistency of selection and the comfort that players have that they are given a good chance and are supported by the coach and the team is very important, and gives them confidence to play their game.”
White was also at the helm when…
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