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Hesson commits to Black Caps future

Coach hailed as 'best ever' by New Zealand Cricket as Black Caps lock up senior staff on long-term deal

With Darren Lehmann taking a well-earned break and speculation continuing to swirl around the vacant fast bowling coach role, New Zealand have locked up Mike Hesson for a further three years.

The Black Caps today announced Hesson and three key support staff had been retained through to the 2019 World Cup, signing long-term contracts.

Batting coach Craig McMillan, strength and conditioning coach Chris Donaldson and team manager Mike Sandle have all been retained along with the head coach.

NZC chief executive David White says their retention was vital for the team's stability and succession planning.

He praised the emergence and potential of McMillan and described Sandle and Donaldson as leaders in their field but reserved special praise for 41-year-old Hesson, who was a relative unknown when he replaced John Wright in 2012.

"Mike's the most successful coach in New Zealand cricket history and, in my opinion, the best selector we've ever had," White said.

"To have him committed to the Black Caps until after the next World Cup is great news for all concerned."

Hesson has been at the helm as the Black Caps players lifted their Test world ranking to fifth and capitalised on co-hosting last year's World Cup to reach the final where they were beaten by Australia. The Black Caps also swept through the group stages of this year's World Twenty20 in India before losing to England in the semi-final.

New Zealand are the current world No.1 Twenty20 team with a narrow lead over India, and are second behind Australia in ODIs.