Greatbatch gets Black Caps nod

Mark Greatbatch, 46, will join the coaching panel and is set to work alongside New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori

Mark Greatbatch has been appointed New Zealand coach, New Zealand Cricket announced today.

Greatbatch, who is already on the national selection panel, has been working closely with Black Caps captain Daniel Vettori since the departure of previous coach Andy Moles in October.

The 46-year-old former New Zealand batsman joins Mark O’Donnell and Shane Jurgensen on the coaching panel, where he 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, team tactics and strategy.

“We have put a great deal of thought and consulted widely about how we progress the current Black Caps unit without upsetting the current leadership momentum within the team,” NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said.

“We also considered the credentials of a number of high-profile international options.

“Over the past 12 months the Black Caps team, under the captaincy of Daniel Vettori, has made significant advances in terms of developing a culture of individual accountability.

“I know Mark is strongly supportive of the way the team has progressed and will complement Daniel well.”

In essence, the announcement simply formalises the structure that has already been in place since Moles’ resignation.

Greatbatch was brought in then to work alongside Vettori during the trip to the United Arab Emirates for the limited-over series against Pakistan and the following Test series in New Zealand, and it appears his role as New Zealand coach will not be markedly different.

“He will maintain his selectorial responsibilities, as well as providing specialist batting coaching and acting as a sounding-board to the captain over game tactics,” Vaughan added.

“It is really a continuation of the role he played successfully during the team’s tour to the UAE.

“We think that Mark will help the team continue to grow and develop without radically changing the team environment or processes that are currently working well.”

Vettori described the former Warwickshire coach’s appointment as “exciting”.

“The current team culture is healthy and we have some outstanding senior players in leadership roles which is how successful teams of the past have operated,” he said.

“Mark has a lot of respect within the team and has made a positive contribution in his role with the team to-date. I think he will make a big impact on the players.”

Greatbatch’s first series in his new role begins against Bangladesh on Wednesday with a Twenty20 international in Hamilton.