Hesson quits as NZ coach
Mike Hesson brought his overwhelmingly successful tenure as New Zealand’s men’s cricket coach to an abrupt end yesterday, a year out from the next World Cup.
Aware an intense 12 months lay ahead, and knowing from the last campaign, where the Black Caps made the final for the first time, what it would require, he decided he could not give the role the commitment it needs.
He was emotional as he made his announcement, particularly when mentioning the sacrifices his wife Kate had made over the past six years, with him on the road with the Black Caps so often, saying she was a ‘‘solo mum’’ to their daughters Holly and Charlie, who he ‘‘is certainly looking forward to spending some time with’’.
‘‘I guess you could probably tell from the way I read my statement that it means a lot to me,’’ said Hesson, who was widely expected to step down after the World Cup in England a year from now, having been in charge since August, 2012.
‘‘The role and the relationships you build over time, you can’t just cut them.
‘‘They’re ones that I’ll have forever and they’ll certainly mean a lot to me, and it’s been a huge six years of my life.’’
Hesson informed NZ Cricket chief David White of his intention to walk away a week ago, when they were both in India on International Cricket Council business. White explored whether a compromise could be reached and allowances made to keep him in the post for another year, but Hesson demurred, citing his ‘‘all or nothing’’ approach to the role.
‘‘My approach has always been to give the job everything. The idea of missing a match, a tour, or a particular format is something that has been mooted at times by NZC, but it’s certainly something that I never felt comfortable with.
‘‘I know what’s required in the role over the next 12 months, and if I’m honest, I don’t feel I’ve got the capacity to give the job what it deserves. I love the team and I have great hopes for what the future holds for the team and I will always be a supporter.’’
Hesson became Black Caps coach in 2012, when John Wright
decided not to extend his contract after just 16 months in the role.
At that point the team had had four coaches in the past four years, and as well as stability, Hesson has brought success. He had a rocky start, most notably when he backed Brendon Mccullum to replace Ross Taylor as limited overs captain just a few months into his tenure, which led to a public outcry, Taylor taking time out from the game, and Mccullum becoming skipper in all three formats.
But as is usually the case in sport, results were what mattered most, and when the Black Caps were unbeaten for seven straight test series from 2013 to 2015, and made the final of the 2015 World Cup, he cemented his place as one of New Zealand’s greatest coaches.
During his six years in charge, the team won more matches than they lost in all three formats. Mccullum, for what it’s worth, has labelled him ‘‘the greatest’’.