Ex-New Zealand coach David Trist passes away at 77

Former New Zealand coach, David Trist, has passed away aged 77. He was in charge of the side which won the Champions Trophy in 2000 (then called ICC Knockout Trophy).

Trist was a right-arm medium pacer for Canterbury in his professional career (First-Class: 1968/69 - 1977/78, List A: 1971/72 - 1981/82). Post his 14-year-long journey as a player, he transitioned into a coaching career.

Trist had coached Canterbury, South Africa, Hong Kong, and Netherlands prior to joining New Zealand in 1999 in place of ex-Australian wicketkeeper-batter, Steve Rixon. He held his role with the Kiwis for a couple of years.

Following his stint with the Black Caps, Trist became the Coaching Director of Christchurch's Old Collegians Cricket Club. He also worked in India and England for a brief period.
 
New Zealand Cricket confirmed the development on social media.

"NZC is deeply saddened to confirm the passing of former Black Caps coach David Trist, who died in Christchurch yesterday, aged 77. NZC extends its heartfelt condolences to David's family and friends," read the statement by NZC.
 
In an interview in 2017, Trist was effusive in praise of former all-rounder, Chris Cairns, for his unbeaten 102-run knock against India in the final of the coveted 50-over tournament.

"Cairns was outstanding, and played an innings that he will remember forever, because it was the winning of the game. But the feeling was we could do it, and we had to do it. That was what pervaded the dressing room - although there were moments of concern, quite clearly, with losing wickets early and one or two other batsmen not quite doing what they had done previously,” stated Trist, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“But Cairns' innings was one of his greatest, if not his greatest, innings, in so much as it won basically the only thing New Zealand has ever won. He was a big hitter, but he was also technically very sound. He wasn't unsettled by fast bowling, and against spin, he was positive. I think in the latter stage of that innings, the Indians went from, 'We've won this' to 'Oh shit!'. It was probably one of the most important innings in terms of New Zealand that we've witnessed," added the late Trist in the same conversation.