ACA appoints Gary Stead as head coach of men’s team

Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) has appointed Gary Stead as the head coach of the senior men’s team for the 2025-26 season. Stead was previously New Zealand’s head coach from 2018 until June of this year, spanning 268 matches across all three formats.

“The passion for cricket here is palpable. I look forward to working closely with the players, support staff, and leadership to build a team that competes with heart and purpose,” Stead said following his appointment.

The 53-year-old announced in March that he was stepping down from his roles in the limited-overs formats. While he had expressed his desire to remain in charge in Tests, New Zealand Cricket wanted someone to lead the Black Caps in all three formats and eventually hired Rob Walter as Stead’s replacement.

Under Stead’s leadership, New Zealand won the ICC World Test Championship in 2021 and topped both the ODI and Test rankings. It also finished as the runner-up in the Champions Trophy (2025), Cricket World Cup (2019) and the T20 World Cup (2021).

ACA honorary president Kesineni Sivanath stated that Stead will inspire players and coaches alike during his tenure. “Gary Stead is not just a coach, he’s a culture-builder. His arrival signals our intent to raise the bar in talent development, tactical preparation, and operational discipline,” he expressed.