Mike Hesson. Photo / Getty Images
HoS: How did you survive the Ross Taylor captaincy saga and what did you learn?
MH: It was a tough time for everyone. All three involved - Ross, Brendon [McCullum] and myself - are passionate about the Black Caps and want to drive the team forward. None of us wanted to go through that but we're headed in the right direction now.
HoS: How do the New Zealand team convince the public they are improving over the next 12 months?
MH: Rankings are a benchmark. They reflect your performance over a decent period. Twelve months ago, we were so far behind, we had to win a heck of a lot of games to gain ground. To move from ninth to seventh in the one-day international rankings has been important. I want to get to fifth in the next 12 months. Moving into the top six for the T20s would also be a step forward. In tests, I want consistency away from home, particularly from our batting.
I know people talk about our batting being bad but I've done the research and we've scored more hundreds across all forms in the last 12 months (13 - seven in tests, four in ODIs and two in T20s) than at any other time in the past 10 years. A decent amount of that cricket was against the top two test sides in the world [England and South Africa] as well as spending time in Asia. [Assistant coach] Bob Carter's taken his share of criticism but in the previous 12 months, which included home and away against Zimbabwe, we only managed 11.
HoS: What's been the most gratifying aspect of the job?
MH: We're starting to get stability in the playing ranks across all three formats. Players are getting familiar with their roles. The two T20 and ODI series wins away from home and the consistency shown in the home tests against England are also up there.
HoS: Has it been a cathartic process to pen your first contract list so you have accountability for selections, as opposed to last year?
MH: I think that's a good thing for any coach, all you want is to be fully accountable.
HoS: How hard has it been to overcome the not-a-former-New-Zealand-cricketer barrier and prove you have the coaching skills?
MH: I don't think it is something you can ever overcome. Every game your performance is judged, just like players. You can be up one minute, down the next but as I coach I'm generally trying to look further. Take our test status; we have a lot of ground to make up. I'd like to think it'll happen tomorrow but the reality is we have to make small steps. We're never going to please everybody.
HoS: John Buchanan. Where did it go wrong with him and why couldn't it work?
MH: It has been documented, probably unfairly, that it was a breakdown between myself and John. I don't have a lot to say on it. We were on tour almost 10 of those 12 months and we worked in isolation a lot of that time. I can't really comment to be fair.
HoS: So who would you like to see involved in New Zealand cricket who's not there at the moment?
MH: I'm not sure about naming any certain person, it's more about getting the required skill sets. We have a lot of talented players who need to evolve and be challenged from a sports science point of view and through playing opportunities. The 'A' programme heading away to the sub-continent this year is a good start. Ideally we need to surround those players with people keen to help NZC who have experience, mana but no egos.
HoS: What is your most satisfying moment?
MH: Winning the ODI series in South Africa. We were pretty low after the test series. I'm proud of the way the players picked themselves up, especially given we'd never achieved it.
HoS: Your most disappointing moment?
MH: The final test of the home series against England. I was proud of the team but it was hard sitting in the changing room thinking about what could've been. You only had to look at everyone's face to see how gutted they were.
HoS: The World Cup negotiations. Are you stunned at the successful result - from a New Zealand perspective - delivered by Therese Walsh and her team? There must be excitement at the prospect of playing so many games at home?
MH: I'm a bit like you. I wasn't expecting to get a home semifinal. I thought we'd lose that and might even be lucky to get a quarter-final. Australia vs New Zealand at Eden Park is huge and there's so much nostalgia linked to it from 1992. What a great day that was; it set off a couple of big months in New Zealand. We certainly have no complaints, we're stoked with the draw. It sounds a bit corny but hopefully we can inspire the next generation. It's our chance to make our own history.
HoS: Can you count the number of nights you've spent at home on two hands?
MH: Unfortunately when I got back from England, I left almost immediately for eight days of reviews. But I was recently home for my youngest daughter's third birthday. It was great to be a Dad again, waking up to watch her open presents. I've also managed to read my daughters a few bedtime stories.
HoS: What about fish and chips on St Clair beach?
MH: We only live about 100m away so it's great to do that or go for a coffee or walk the beach. Unfortunately some of it eroded recently and needed barricading, but it's still a heck of a spot.