From New Zealand to Andhra: All about Coach Gary Stead & his new journey!

Born on 9 January 1972 in Christchurch, New Zealand, Gary Stead was appointed head coach of the New Zealand men’s national cricket team in August 2018. During his tenure, he led the Black Caps to a memorable victory in the 2021 World Test Championship. In September 2025, Stead rejoined New Zealand Cricket in a high-performance coaching role and has supervised high-performance programs. Simultaneously, he has been appointed head coach of the Andhra Pradesh senior men’s team for the 2025–26 domestic season in India.

The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA), affiliated with the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), is headquartered in Visakhapatnam, with its major home ground being the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vizag. ACA has been actively restructuring and strengthening its coaching and playing staff, and the state has Gary Stead as head coach for the 2025–26 season. This is a significant move, signalling that the Andhra cricket team is moving in the right direction.  Yo Vizag! has taken this opportunity to interview the great Gary Stead! Here is the exclusive interview with the coach!

Who is your favourite cricketer? Also, could you be biased and pick a player from the Andhra team as your favourite?

Gary Stead: I would say Jasprit Bumrah, but Nitesh Kumar and Ricky Bhui are also a few of my favourite players.

You have coached international cricket for quite some time. What are your plans for coaching domestic cricket in India?

Gary Stead: My first plan of action would be to learn all the players’ names! Beyond that, I want to make the players more adaptable and smarter in recognising differences in matches so they can adjust accordingly.

What attracted you to coaching Andhra?

Gary Stead: I saw this as a huge opportunity to grow and learn. I wanted to test whether I could replicate what I have done in New Zealand with a new team. I wanted to see if my philosophies and coaching methods would work in a different environment, and if not, how I could adapt. I also wanted to challenge myself by working with new people.

Over the past week, what have you observed from the Andhra cricket team?

Gary Stead: We recently played a four-hour match, and despite the rain and challenging pitch conditions, the players performed very well. It was great to see them handle pressure and adapt. The best players can always change the tempo of the game quickly, and I’m seeing these qualities in this team.

What is your game plan for the upcoming domestic matches, and how will you approach coaching?

Gary Stead: In the first few days, I want to get to know all 31 players, observe their games, and analyse their strengths and weaknesses. After that, I will narrow the squad down to 15 or 16 players. I want to be strategic in how we play, understand what motivates each player, and identify the strategies that work best for this team. I also plan to build a strong fielding unit and hope to learn the local language to communicate better.

How is cricket in India different from cricket in New Zealand?

Gary Stead: First of all, I love the way cricket is played in India. There’s an enormous amount of talent and skill. Indian players are extremely motivated, enduring harsh heat and different pitch conditions. In New Zealand, there are six domestic teams with about 120 players, whereas India has 38 domestic teams and a huge talent pool. Because of this, getting recognised in India is more challenging. In New Zealand, good players are noticed quickly, but in India, you need a bit of luck to stand out in such a large population.

What advice would you give to young coaches?

Gary Stead: Coaching is highly rewarding. It may not carry the same influence as playing, but you have the chance to impact many lives. It’s about asking the right questions, challenging your team while providing comfort, and bringing the group together effectively.

What is your philosophy as a coach?

Gary Stead: I believe in creating self-sufficient cricketers, players who are clear on their responsibilities and can make decisions on the field independently.

In good humour, Gary also mentioned that he plans to get fitter before leaving India. We are excited to see the outcomes of the upcoming Ranji Trophy under his guidance. We wish the Andhra cricket team and Gary Stead the very best for this new partnership and hope they bring home victories.

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