Hesson: time for declaration

Mike Hesson is back on the supermarket roster and ready to help in the kitchen.

Hesson (43) resigned as the Black Caps cricket coach yesterday, and is heading out the door at the end of next month after six years in charge.

The Dunedin resident said it was a hard decision to make, but not one he second-guessed once he made it.

He loved the job for six years and gave it everything.

"It only entered my mind a couple of weeks ago. You get a bit of time ... to sit down and and reflect on things. I was thinking of the next 12 months. It is going to be massive and I will be away for nine months from October to July.

"I know what is required, the energy levels needed and what you have to give in the next 12 months. Nine months away from home is a bridge too far. It is a good time to step down and give someone a lot of time for the next World Cup and the test championship straight afterwards."

There were suggestions Hesson could give up one facet of the game, such as twenty20, but Hesson said he could not operate like that.

"I have missed two days of cricket in six years. It is not the sort of job where you can go away on holiday and relax. You are either doing the job or not."

Hesson had a big workload and a lot of time away from family, at times more than 300 nights a year.

"I am looking forward to seeing the kids. In saying that, I went into the job with my eyes wide open. I've been there six years and it's time to move on. The team is in a really good space.

"I feel comfortable with the decision. We are well respected around the world and how we lead the team. We've got a really good skipper and good support group."

Hesson and wife Kate have two daughters Holly (11) and Charlie (7), and he was looking forward to spending time around home with them.

"I'll be able to do a bit of supermarket shopping, help round the house."

He would officially finish up at the end of next month.

Looking back over his six years, he said the World Cup in 2015 (where New Zealand made the final) was an obvious highlight, as was the test series win away from home in the West Indies.

"Beating England was a nice way to finish. I never thought that was going to be it."

He wanted to continue as a coach - "I will have to find a job" - but that was in the future.