Kiwis appoint Greatbatch

Greatbatch: Kiwis post

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New Zealand Cricket have appointed Mark Greatbatch as the country's new head coach.

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 last October.

The 46-year-old former New Zealand batsman was named director of coaching at Warwickshire in 2005, but, after being relegated from both the County Championship and Pro40 League in 2007 he was replaced by Ashley Giles.

Greatbach 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.

Exciting

"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."

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.