Mike Hesson's Coaching Record In Test Cricket As Pakistan Offers Looms

Mike Hesson set to join Pakistan team before 3rd Test [Source: AFP]

In a surprising turn of events, the Pakistan cricket team has asked their white-ball coach, Mike Hesson, to join the squad ahead of the third Test match against a rampant England side. Hesson will link up with Sarfaraz Ahmed, who is the current Test team head coach.

According to the latest reports, Hesson will not replace Sarfaraz to take up the Test team duties, but if the result in the third Test goes in Pakistan’s favour, there could be a chance for the Kiwi to take charge of the red-ball side as well.

Why has PCB sought help from Hesson?

Sarfaraz Ahmed was appointed the Test head coach after he impressed with the Under-19 team and brought positive results. There was a sense of optimism when he was brought in to take charge of the Test side, but three series into his stint, doubts have already crept in regarding his job security.

The Pakistan side suffered a 0-2 drubbing against Bangladesh, and it was followed by a 1:1 series draw against the West Indies.

Things turned from bad to worse when, under Sarfaraz, the team got hammered by England as the Asian side trails 0-2 in the ongoing series, with a game still to be played at Edgbaston.

Hesson, even though he has not won anything significant with Pakistan, has improved their white-ball results, and thus, the PCB expects him to do the same with the stuttering red-ball side.

Mike Hesson's record as Test coach

Interestingly, Hesson has coached only one Test team, and it was his home nation, New Zealand. From August 2012 to April 2018, the Dunedin-born coached the Kiwi Test side, and he stabilised their red-ball squad.

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(Mike Hesson Test coaching stats)

• Under Hesson, New Zealand played 53 Tests, and they won 21, while losing 19 Tests. At the same time, the Kiwis had 13 draws under their name, with a win percentage of 39.62.
• By comparison, the 1980s had 59 Tests, of which 17 were won, 15 lost, and 27 drawn. This showcased the impact Hesson had on the Black Caps Test side.
• The win percentage was not that high, but one should remember that under his tenure, New Zealand revived their Test journey and became a solid team away from home.

What quality does Hesson bring in as Test head coach?

In recent years, the Pakistan Test team has witnessed chaos, and someone needs to come in with a calm mind to help the players settle down properly. There have been too many chop and changes in the red-ball team, and the team morale is at an all-time low.

This is where the New Zealander comes in with his personality to revitalise their sinking ship. Under his astute vision, the Pakistan white-ball team reached the Asia Cup final and won two different tri-nation series as the team was stabilised.

This is the same thing that the 51-year-old can do for Pakistan’s red-ball team. He selected a core group of players to deliver the goods for Pakistan’s white-ball squad, and he can once again select players who will do wonders for him and for the team in red-ball cricket.

Both New Zealand and Pakistan have witnessed similar paths. When Hesson took over as the Kiwi Test coach, the team was struggling, and he revived them. 

The same has been the case with Pakistan, who have struggled to win in both home and away conditions, and the former New Zealand coach can help the Asian side get back to their best.

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