Hesson’s contract extended with Black Caps
The Mike Hesson era as Black Caps coach is set to stretch past the World Cup and into 2017.
New Zealand Cricket is poised to confirm a two-year extension of Hesson’s contract in the coming days, in the wake of the team’s most successful period in recent memory.
Hesson turns 40 next month and was initially contracted till the end of the World Cup in March, but the side’s strong recent run prompted NZ Cricket chief executive David White and the board to extend their faith regardless of how the team performs in the big show on home soil.
In the past nine months, New Zealand beat West Indies in home and away test series, the latter providing their first overseas series victory against a top-eight side in 12 years. They beat world champions India 4-0 in the home onedayers then followed through with a 1-0 test series victory highlighted by captain Brendon McCullum’s triple century in Wellington.
They remain seventh on the world rankings in both test and ODI cricket,
Has an eye for spotting emerging talent. closely behind Pakistan who they face in a full tour of the United Arab Emirates in November-December. One area requiring attention is New Zealand’s recent record at world tournaments, having exited the last two World Twenty20s and the 50-over Champions Trophy before the semifinal stage.
Hesson was appointed in July 2012 after John Wright stepped aside, and oversaw a turbulent first few months in India and Sri Lanka where wins were rare and he sacked captain Ross Taylor, causing a rift with his best batsman and a public outcry for the method of the skipper’s dismissal.
But in time Hesson demonstrated shrewd planning, accurate selection, and an eye for spotting emerging talent, such as destructive all-rounders Corey Anderson and Jimmy Neesham. Based around the strong leadership of McCullum and worldclass performances from a refocused Taylor, Kane Williamson and pacemen Tim Southee and Trent Boult, the team finally showed the consistency lacking for so long.
Under Hesson, New Zealand have played 21 tests for six wins, eight losses and seven draws, while in ODIs the success rate is a tick under 50 per cent. From 28 completed ODIs, New Zealand have won 13, lost 14, and tied one.
New Zealand’s next internationals are a three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting at Mt Maunganui on October 21.