Gary Stead says home advantage has disappeared in Test cricket
Stead believes modern seam attacks have neutralised traditional home conditions. The two Tests carry points for both teams in the World Test Championship.
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said the idea of home advantage has disappeared around the world ahead of India’s tour next month. Stead, who guided New Zealand to a 3-0 series win over India in 2024, noted that both teams now possess quality seam attacks capable of exploiting any conditions.
The two-Test series begins on November 19 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch and moves to Wellington’s Basin Reserve. Stead said the contest will come down to which batting line-up handles the bounce and carry better on those surfaces.
He added that multi-format tours should become more common so teams can be judged against the best over a sustained period rather than in isolated short series.
CricHubb Take
If seam quality now travels as well as spin once did, then New Zealand’s historical edge at home rests more on familiarity than on pitch preparation.