New Zealand have enjoyed one of the

best years of their cricketing history under coach Gary Stead. Under his leadership, the team won its first Test Championship title. They defeated India at Lord's in 2021 to win the title. The Blackcaps have also reached the finals of the T20 World Cup (2021) and the Champions Trophy (2025) under his leadership. Finally, that successful journey has come to an end. The 53-year-old coach has bid farewell to New Zealand cricket.

Steed had already withdrawn from white-ball cricket. He took time to consider his future in red-ball cricket. He ultimately left New Zealand Cricket at the end of his contract.

Steed took over the New Zealand national team after Mike Hesson stepped down in 2018. The following year, he led the team to the final of the ODI World Cup. Although they failed to win the title, they had a successful chapter.

Gary Stead's understanding

at the moment of saying goodbye to New Zealand cricket, 'The main basis of everything we have done in the last seven years has been to play the best game for the country. We have grown further by building on the foundation left by Brendon McCullum and Mike Hesson. Our goal was to compete consistently and show our opponents that the Black Caps do not break easily.'

"Working for a small country of five million people, where resources are limited, yet we are competing with the best teams in the world — it's a matter of pride," he said.

Despite leaving New Zealand Cricket, Steed doesn't want to say goodbye to cricket so soon. He wants to take some time off and then return to the 22-yard box.