अंडरा ने विश्व टेस्ट चैंपियनशिप जीतने वाले न्यूजीलैंड के कोच गैरी स्टेड को हस्ताक्षरित किया

Andhra sign WTC-winning NZ coach Gary Stead

Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) has signed World Test Championship-winning coach Gary Stead for the upcoming domestic season.

ACA secretary Sana Sathish Babu confirmed the signing, saying, "We were initially looking at an Australian coach. Then a friend suggested, why not try Gary? So we reached out to him, and right from the very first conversation, we were struck by his preparedness. He came to the meeting with a complete understanding of our team."

Stead had a successful seven-year stint with the New Zealand cricket team before ending his contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) earlier this year. Under him, New Zealand rose to No 1 in the ICC Test and ODI rankings, won the World Test Championship in 2021, and reached the World Cup final in 2019.

The 53-year-old Stead is expected to reach Visakhapatnam in a week. The parties have signed initially for one year but it is learnt that he has agreed to be with the state team for at least two years. He will collaborate with the state selection committee.

As a pre-condition to the signing, Stead requested the ACA to allow him to visit home in New Zealand during Christmas, which the ACA readily agreed to. His work visa in India is approved, and he is expected to take charge between September 20-25.