Mark Greatbatch

Mark John Greatbatch (born 11 December 1963) is a former New Zealand international cricketer. He scored more than 2,000 runs in his 41 Test matches for New Zealand. A left-handed batsman and occasional right-arm medium pace bowler in first class cricket for Auckland and Central Districts, Greatbatch scored 9,890 first class runs in total as well as being an occasional wicket keeper.

International career

Greatbatch highest test score of 146 not out off 485 balls was against Australia at Perth in November 1989.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Greatbatch was at the crease for 11 hours (2 days) to save New Zealand from defeat, the game ending in a draw because of his efforts.<ref name="Monga">Template:Cite web</ref> He received a standing ovation at the end of the game.Template:Citation needed

For the 1992 Cricket World Cup Greatbatch was not selected to play in the first match, against Australia. However, he was selected to open against South Africa in place of John Wright, who had been injured, and proceeded to bat to take advantage of fielding restrictions early in the innings. The strategy worked, so was repeated again throughout the World Cup and Greatbatch became one of the first 'pinch hitter' players to open an innings in One Day Internationals.Template:Citation needed

Mark Greatbatch finished his career with 2,021 Test runs and 2,206 ODI runs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

After cricket

In September 2005 he became director of coaching at Warwickshire County Cricket Club in England.<ref>Greatbatch to coach Warwickshire. retrieved 5 October 2007</ref> After relegation from both the County Championship and Pro40 League in 2007 he was replaced by Ashley Giles.<ref>Giles succeeds Greatbatch at Warwickshire, retrieved 5 October 2007</ref> In January, 2010, Greatbatch was appointed the coach of the New Zealand national cricket team.<ref>Greatbatch handed New Zealand team coaching role, retrieved 30 January 2010</ref>

In 2022, Asterix, a horse that Greatbatch partly owned, won the New Zealand Derby.Template:Citation needed

External links

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