Former New Zealand Women’s head coach Bob Carter will step down from his role as high-performance coach, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has confirmed. His departure marks the end of a remarkable 21-year journey with both the men’s and women’s national teams.
“I feel like I’ve lived the dream,” Carter said in an NZC release. “I’ve very much enjoyed offering support and contributing. If that’s helped players or teams go on and achieve success, then that’s terrific – I’m delighted. But I think what’s worked best at NZC has been the combinations, the teamwork, and the cooperation.”
Born in Norfolk, England, Carter played 60 first-class and 55 List-A matches for Northamptonshire and Canterbury before moving into coaching. He joined the men’s setup in 2004 as assistant coach to John Bracewell. After five years, he returned in 2012 to assist Mike Hesson until 2014. In 2019, he took over as the New Zealand Women’s head coach, replacing Haidee Tiffen. Carter led the team in the 2020 T20 World Cup and the 2022 ODI World Cup before stepping down.
A Key Contributor During Historic Moments
“We’ve created sides greater than the sum of their parts, and that’s a key ingredient in team sport,” Carter said. “Individual performance is important, but the collective effort has greater potential. That’s where the magic is.”
Now 65, Carter will stay involved in cricket as an independent contractor. He steps away at a high point for New Zealand cricket. The White Ferns won their first T20 World Cup last year, and the Black Caps recently completed a rare Test series whitewash over India in India.
Carter on How the Game Has Changed
“The game has evolved a lot in the past 20 years,” he said. “But the basics of batting and bowling haven’t changed. Batters now play shots we couldn’t imagine in the nineties. Bowlers also have more variations and incredible skills. But the core framework that supports success remains the same as it was 50 years ago.”
Carter believes domestic cricket is a major reason for New Zealand’s success. “Our domestic cricket is very strong, though not always widely recognised,” he said. “The Black Caps keep producing great players because of that foundation. The White Ferns have been in transition recently, but domestic competitions have brought through new talent and lifted established players. The World Cup win last year showed what that team can do.”
High Praise From NZC
NZC chief high performance officer Daryl Gibson praised Carter’s long-standing impact. “Bob has been the voice of experience at Lincoln. He’s contributed to much of the success we’ve seen in both the men’s and women’s games over the past decade. He’s been part of a high-performance team that supported one of New Zealand cricket’s golden eras. His legacy and impact on NZC are enormous.”
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