Gavin Larsen Returns as Selection Manager for New Zealand Men’s Teams

Gavin Larsen has been reappointed as the selection manager for New Zealand’s men’s cricket teams, marking his return to the national cricket setup after a two-year absence. Larsen replaces Sam Wells, who vacated the role earlier this year.

The former BlackCaps medium pacer will work closely with head coach Rob Walter, overseeing squad selections for the New Zealand men’s senior team, New Zealand A, and New Zealand XI. While Walter remains the chief selector and final decision-maker, Larsen is tasked with advising, briefing, and constructively challenging the head coach throughout the selection process.

“I feel absolutely honoured to be stepping back into the BlackCaps and the national high-performance environment,” Larsen said. “I’m hugely passionate about cricket in this country, and to be given another opportunity to contribute at the highest level is really exciting. I can’t wait to get started this summer and hopefully help play a part in continuing the success of the BlackCaps.”

Experienced Hand Returns

Larsen brings a wealth of experience to the role. He represented New Zealand in eight Tests and 121 ODIs between 1990 and 1999, and held various administrative positions post-retirement. He served as chief executive of Cricket Wellington and later as cricket operations manager in the lead-up to the 2015 ODI World Cup.

His first stint as New Zealand’s selection manager spanned from 2015 to 2023, after which he moved to the UK as performance director at Warwickshire County Cricket Club. Most recently, he returned to New Zealand and worked as commercial manager for the basketball team Nelson Giants.

Key Role in High-Performance Strategy

According to Daryl Gibson, New Zealand Cricket’s chief high-performance officer, Larsen’s return was driven by his deep knowledge of the domestic cricket scene, prior experience in the role, and his proven ability to collaborate with coaches and talent scouts.

“Gavin’s familiarity with the role and his understanding of the requirements played an important part in his appointment,” said Gibson. “But we were also impressed with his passion and energy, and his desire to get back into the game and help make a difference.”

Gibson confirmed that the existing selection model would remain in place. While Walter will make final selection calls, Larsen will be responsible for gathering intel, managing selection processes, and maintaining strong communication with domestic scouts and coaches across the major associations.

“This requires a strong relationship between the two parties and we’re confident Gav has the soft skills and the acumen to make it work,” Gibson added.

Looking Ahead

Larsen’s reappointment comes at a critical time for New Zealand Cricket as it looks to build depth across formats and prepare for a demanding international calendar. His influence will be pivotal in shaping squad balance, identifying emerging talent, and supporting Rob Walter in maintaining the BlackCaps’ competitiveness on the global stage.