New Delhi, May 30 (H.S.): Former New Zealand cricket team coach David Trist passed away on Thursday at the age of 77. The New Zealand Cricket Board announced this on social media on Friday.Trist played a crucial role in leading New Zealand to win the ICC Knockout Trophy (now Champions Trophy) in 2000. This was the New Zealand men's team's first global title.

David Trist played cricket as a fast bowler for Canterbury for 14 years during his career. He then stepped into the world of coaching. Apart from Canterbury, he also worked with teams from South Africa, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands. In 1999, he took over as the coach of the New Zealand national team, replacing Steve Rixon.

During Trist's tenure, New Zealand won the title by defeating India by four wickets in the final held in Nairobi. In this match, Chris Cairns scored an unbeaten century, leading the team to a historic victory. Although Trist's tenure lasted only two years, he made the team victorious on a global level for the first time.After parting ways with the New Zealand team, Trist became the coaching director at the Old Collegians Cricket Club in Christchurch. Additionally, he worked in the coaching field in India and England as well.

New Zealand Cricket expressed deep sorrow in a statement on social media, saying, New Zealand Cricket is profoundly saddened to confirm that former Black Caps coach David Trist has passed away in Christchurch. He was 77 years old. New Zealand Cricket extends its heartfelt condolences to David's family and friends.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar