Former New Zealand cricketer John Parker has formally apologised to Hesson for comments he made in a document which implied the Black Caps coach had been dishonest or acted in a manipulative way with respect to the demotion of former captain Ross Taylor.
''My family has found dealing with this matter pretty stressful and there is no doubt that it has been an unnecessary distraction during the preparations for an important few months ahead,'' Hesson said in a press release.
''I am very happy that it has now been resolved and we can all head to England focused on the task of winning cricket matches.''
Having returned from a three-day holiday with his family in Australia, Hesson told the Otago Daily Times he did not want to comment any further on the matter. However, he was only too happy to talk about cricket and the test series against England.
The Black Caps surprised many with a strong showing at home against England in the three-game test series in March.
Opener Hamish Rutherford made a scintillating debut with an innings of 171 in Dunedin. Fellow opener Peter Fulton scored back-to-back 100s at Eden Park and left-arm seamer Neil Wagner bowled with tremendous heart throughout the series. His opportunity came only after Doug Bracewell cut his foot on a bottle cleaning up after a party.
Others like Brendon McCullum and Trent Boult were also impressive. McCullum was in punishing form with the bat and Boult was the pick of the bowlers.
New Zealand dominated two of the three tests but victory proved elusive, as England fought valiantly, particularly in game three, when defeat was avoided by just one wicket and the trusted blade of Monty Panesar.
It was a much improved showing from the New Zealand team which was dispatched 2-0 by South Africa and dismissed for paltry 45 in the first test.
''Going from our previous test series we certainly made some changes, not only in personnel but in balance,'' Hesson said.
''It was nice to see most of them work pretty well. To be able to put England under pressure for not only one session or one innings, but to do it over a test series was very satisfying.
''We gained a lot of confidence from the first day at the University Oval. It rolled on after that but we also realise it was just one series and we are not getting too far ahead of ourselves.''
With Hesson making the decision to shift McCullum down the order there was a lot of discussion about who would open. Fulton had critics lining up and some members of the English media described him as a walking wicket. How Rutherford would perform was also an unknown. Hesson has had his critics but his bold decision to go with Fulton and Rutherford certainly paid off and he deserves credit for that decision.
''They both stood up and had a great series. That allowed our middle order to play like middle order players, rather than top order players, like in the past when they have been exposed too early.''
Hesson has mostly stuck with the crew which served him well but he has gambled on seamer Mark Gillespie. Gillespie went head to head with Neil Wagner for a spot in the Black Caps squad for the home series against England but let himself down with a below-par performance in a warm-up match against the tourists in Queenstown.
He looked overweight and his bowling lacked its usual punch. When Bracewell was ruled out, Otago's Ian Butler was brought into the squad and Gillespie was overlooked.
But he has been selected for the tour and Hesson said the big Wellingtonian had lost some weight and was back bowling with more energy.
''Ian has had a very good season in all three forms. But we feel Mark Gillespie has the ability to take wickets with the new and the old ball. And we think, early season in England, he is going to provide us with some real options.''
Taylor and McCullum will miss the opening warm-up game against Derbyshire, beginning on May 4, due to IPL commitments but will be available for the match against the England Lions, beginning May 9.
''It actually works out well. We have a squad of 15, so hopefully everyone will get an opportunity in those two warm-up games. I'd probably feel more comfortable if they were playing in India, but they are certainly getting good training over there,'' Hesson said.
Kane Williamson will likely captain the team for the game against Derbyshire.
