Mark Greatbatch to coach Black Caps

Mark Greatbatch has been appointed as New Zealand cricket coach.

He will be in charge for the series against Bangladesh, which starts this week.

Greatbatch has been working in a part time role with the side since Andy Moles' departure late last year.

Now he has the job full time, meaning a New Zealander has headed off international options.

He will join the existing Black Caps coaching team of Mark O'Donnell and Shane Jurgensen, and will take on particular responsibility for developing batting performance within the team. Daniel Vettori will continue his high-level involvement 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," said New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive, Justin Vaughan. "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."

Vaughan said that Greatbatch is highly respected in cricketing circles both in New Zealand and internationally.

"Mark is already close to the team by virtue of his selectorial role, and through his recent stint with the team in Dubai.

"Our experiences with Mark have been consistently good. His recent elevation onto the national selection panel has been viewed as an outstanding success, and he has received overwhelming praise for his communication and honesty with players and coaches.

"Mark will fit into the current team environment extremely well. 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. It is really a continuation of the role he played successfully during the team's tour to the UAE."

"A great deal of emphasis is currently being placed on individual skill development creating better batsmen, bowlers and fielders," said Vaughan.

"This is flowing on to improved performances on the field, with the team making the final of the ICC Champions Trophy, and winning an away ODI series against Pakistan for the first time in history. The work ethic of the players has never been higher than in the current environment.

"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."

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."

Daniel Vettori said Greatbatch's appointment was exciting, and a chance to continue building the current momentum within the Black Caps team.

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

"The team will respond very well to Mark's influence and collectively we can become a better and even more successful cricket team. Ultimately though, we will be judged on our results on the field, and it is up to us players to step up to the mark and perform."

- © Fairfax NZ News