Great Appointment

Former New Zealand Test batsman Mark Greatbatch, 46, has been appointed Black Caps coach joining Mark O’Donnell and Shane Jurgensen on the team’s coaching panel. Greatbatch, who is already on the national selection panel, has been working closely with captain, Daniel Vettori, since the departure of the previous coach, Andy Moles, last October. Greatbatch, who also had a spell as director of cricket at Warwickshire between 2005 and 2007, will be responsible for the development of the team’s batting but Vettori will continue to have a huge say in the selection of the team, tactics and strategy. Greatbatch said he was looking forward to working even more closely with the Black Caps squad, and was excited by the potential of the current team. “There is a real desire for success within this current Black Caps unit and there are some very talented individuals. I believe that I can make a very positive contribution to the team and to the batting unit in particular.” Greatbatch scored more than 2,000 runs in his 41 Tests for New Zealand.