David Trist, former New Zealand head coach dies at 77. He was in charge of the team when they won their first piece of global silverware.
At the age of 77, former New Zealand coach David Trist passed away. Trist helped lead the squad to the Champions Trophy in 2000, which was then known as the ICC Knockout.
After playing for Canterbury for 14 years as a fast bowler, Trist transitioned into coaching, holding positions with Canterbury, South Africa, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands before taking over for Steve Rixon in 1999 at New Zealand.
“Cairns was outstanding, and played an innings that he will remember forever, because it was the winning of the game,” Trist told in a 2017 interview. “But the feeling was we could do it, and we had to do it. That was what pervaded the dressing room – although there were moments of concern, quite clearly, with losing wickets early and one or two other batsmen not quite doing what they had done previously.
“But Cairns’ innings was one of his greatest, if not his greatest, innings, in so much as it won basically the only thing New Zealand has ever won. He could take the game away from you. He was a big hitter, but he was also technically very sound. He wasn’t unsettled by fast bowling, and against spin he was positive.
“I think in the latter stage of that innings, the Indians went from ‘We’ve won this’ to ‘Oh shit!’ And Chris went on, of course, to get a hundred. It was a huge innings, and probably one of the most important innings in terms of New Zealand that we’ve witnessed.”
In a statement on social media, New Zealand Cricket said: “NZC is deeply saddened to confirm the passing of former Blackcaps coach David Trist, who died in Christchurch yesterday, aged 77…NZC extends its heartfelt condolences to David’s family and friends.”