New Zealand Cricket defends coach Stead's break midway during India tour

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has defended under-fire national team's head coach Gary Stead, who is drawing flak for taking a break in middle of ongoing home series against India, saying his "week off was planned six months ago".  Stead is under criticism for taking a holiday at a time when Black Caps are enduring a form slump. Following a 0-3 Test series hiding in Australia, New Zealand were whitewashed 0-5 by India in Twenty20 series on home soil.  y are currently engd in a three-match ODI series against visitors.

NZC defends coach Stead's break

But NZC chief executive David White has supported Stead, stating that coach's mid-season break during ongoing three-match ODI series was pre-planned. 

"Of any sport in New Zealand, cricket has most demands for time," White told reporters.

"se guys are away from home for a long time and we must man ir workload." 

Critics have come hard on Stead for his break with cricket legend Jeremy Coney all but accusing him of deserting team in its hour of need.

"This is probably most important season we've had for 10 years, with Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and West Indies to feast on," Coney told Radio Sport Breakfast.

"We're facing three big boys (Australia, India, England) - y were marmalised in Australia and it's w five-zip at home. Wouldn't you think main coach and selector would be re. 

"Can you see Steve Hansen leaving All Blacks after y are one-nil down against Lions, and taking a week off before second test? This is job and this is main part of season. It's ridiculous this is happening at this crunch time," he added.

Cooney stopped short of suggesting that if Stead was missing his family, he should be replaced before T20 World Cup later this year.  "You don't take your captain away from helm when you are wanted most, when ship is in deep shtook, amongst rocks," he said. "Would you call it desertion or would you just say it's really bad look fellas? If I was (chief executive) David White I would say to myself, I'm sorry Gary, you can wait a week. "If you are really finding it tough and have to be away from family, let's have a chat and find ar coach for T20 format."