David Trist, the former New Zealand cricket coach who led the BLACKCAPS to their only global white-ball title, will be remembered as a man of warmth, wit, and an infectious love for the game.
Trist, who passed away in Christchurch on Thursday at the age of 77, leaves behind a legacy as a coach who made cricket fun, cared deeply for his players, and guided them to an improbable cricketing summit in Kenya 25 years ago.
Born in 1947, Trist’s journey in cricket began as a pace bowler for Canterbury, where he played 24 first-class matches, taking 57 wickets at an average of 28. His playing career, though modest, was marked by resilience and opportunity.
In 1968-69, Trist made his first-class debut for South Island against the West Indies and was called on as a replacement for Dick Motz on the India and Pakistan leg of the 1969 tour, playing in three first-class games.
Despite not securing a Test cap, he represented New Zealand in tour matches against Victoria at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1972 and played in the Australian one-day competition in 1972.
Trist’s first-class career spanned intermittent stints with Canterbury, including a recall for the 1977-78 Shell Trophy final and the 1981-82 Shell Cup final, showcasing his knack for stepping up when needed.
His true impact came as a coach. After honing his skills in South Africa, where he led Eastern Province to a domestic title in 1989, and coaching The Netherlands, Trist returned to New Zealand to guide Canterbury and Auckland, before taking over the BLACKCAPS from Steve Rixon in 1999.
His two-year tenure as head coach was defined by a historic triumph at the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy – now rebranded as the ICC Champions Trophy. Facing a formidable Indian side led by Sachin Tendulkar, the BLACKCAPS, buoyed by Chris Cairns’ match-winning 102 not out, stunned the cricketing world and won the silverware.
Trist’s coaching style balanced care with candour. Behind his trademark bushy moustache and ever-present smile, he could be tough when needed, once famously chastising his batsmen for “over-arousal” after careless shots.
His colourful language, including references to “the composition of the configuration” (of his bowling attack) made him a favourite among cricket writers for his witty and quotable insights.
After stepping down in 2001 following a tour of Sri Lanka, Trist retired to his farm in Little River, near Christchurch, with his second wife, Christine. There, he pursued his passion for agriculture, breeding Charolais cattle, and indulged his love for horse racing and the bloodstock industry.
He is survived by Christine and his three sons from his first marriage, Anton, Justin, and Hamish.
