An top-order batsman, Gary Stead played five Tests in nine months in 1999, averaging a decent 34.75 and never being dismissed in single figures. Against South Africa he showed his great character, digging in and grinding out runs, but after two mediocre performances against West Indies he was dropped. He later took to coaching, first working with the New Zealand Cricket High Performance Centre, before taking over the national women's team in July 2008. He coached the women's side to the finals of the 2009 World Cup and 2010 World T20, before taking over Canterbury and overseeing their run to four domestic titles in four seasons between 2013-14 and 2016-2017. All this culminated in him being named New Zealand men's coach in August 2018, taking over from the highly successful Mike Hesson.
ESPNcricinfo staff