New Zealand greats turn down Blackcaps head coach role

Mike Hesson stepped down as the head coach of New Zealand earlier this week citing personal reasons. This comes as a severe jolt to the board ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup which is less than 12 months away. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is looking for an able replacement who can take the responsibility on his shoulders and guide the team. However, the problems for them have increased now as two of the greats in the country have turned down the offer to take over the position of the head coach.

It was rather shocking that Hesson decided to resign as the team was doing really well under his coaching and his understanding with the skipper Kane Williamson was also good. The talented group was gelling well as they are touted as one of the contenders for the mega event next year. But it will be tough for anyone who takes over from here and will have to get into his groove soon.

Who rejected the offer?

Stephen Fleming and Daniel Vettori, the former New Zealand players, will not succeed Mike Hesson as the coach of the Blackcaps. Both are the former skippers and have been two of the sought-after coaches in the T20 leagues around the world. Fleming recently won the IPL as the coach of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) but has decided not to apply for the coaching job of New Zealand. However, he has offered to play the role of a consultant on certain tours for the team.

“I’m a massive supporter of the team and I’m there to help where needed but don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. If they have a series where they want help or a view from outside, then I’d absolutely love to be part of the group. After 10 years of doing it [in the IPL], I’ve got some good white ball IP [intellectual property]. So it would make sense to pass that on at some point,” he was quoted as saying by NZ Herald.

Vettori, on the other hand, was keen on his non-availability due to his coaching commitments with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Brisbane Heat. “I don’t think I’d be available. I think it’d be a tough assignment for anyone [time-wise] but there’s no doubt they have got a great group of players to build up towards a World Cup,” he said.

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