The Hindu : Greatbatch, a man who left a mark

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Greatbatch, a man who left a mark

By S. Dinakar

Mark Greatbatch, former New Zealand opener, made an indelible mark during the '92 World Cup. He is still involved with the game, serving as coach of the Central Districts team. — Photo: N. Balaji

Napier Dec. 9. He for sure cannot be `batched' among the `greats', but left his `mark' on the World Cup, as one of the finest entertainers.

Thundering down the track to the likes of Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose, and Allan Donald, and dismissing them to the distant corners of the park, Mark Greatbatch sent the pulse racing in the '92 World Cup.

Greatbatch treated the first 15 overs, as the last 15, and in the '96 World Cup, Sanath Jayasuriya & Co. employed the same methods.

``Yes, in some respects I was a trend-setter,'' said Greatbatch, in the quiet and serene Napier. He is now the coach of the Central Districts, is enjoying his job, and had some definite views on cricket when The Hindu caught up with him on Monday.

``If you take the last three World Cups, they were all different and added something to the game. In '92, `hitting out' in the early overs came to stay. In the sub-continent during '96, the emphasis was on `depth' in batting, which Sri Lanka so successfully pulled off. England '99 was bowlers' World Cup, and we did see Pakistan getting decimated in the final,'' observed Greatbatch.

On South Africa 2003, the big-built Kiwi has this to state - "there should be plenty of seam movement and bounce, and the pitches could have some grass on them. In South Africa, a team will need technically solid batsmen, with the ability to play the moving ball, in the top three slots, the openers and the No. 3. A team's fortunes could depend on the platform they provide.''

And he picked Australia and South Africa as the favourites with India and Pakistan as the other likely semifinalists. "The Australian selectors have made some wise moves over the last six months and the team has been winning again in one-day cricket. It has solid batsmen and match-winning bowlers in Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Shane Warne. It has to be the first favourite.''

The South Africans, according to Greatbatch, would be tough to overcome at home. "They know the conditions and they will be motivated. They have the bowlers for the job, and their batting could come together before the big event.''

Zeroing in on the Indians, Greatbatch noted - "India is going to get the runs. Whether you can contain remains to be seen.''

The former Kiwi opener considers Pakistan as an `extremely dangerous side.' "It has the fire-power in bowling, and I am sure, Wasim Akram, a great competitor, will like to leave the scene in glory. Pakistan has some talented shot-makers too, but would need someone to hold the innings together.''

Down memory lane

Remembering his own exploits in the World Cup '92, Greatbatch, a dashing southpaw recollected, "Ambrose bowled quick that day. But he gave me a little bit of width, and I whacked him over point for a six. Then I struck Marshall over extra-cover for another six. That really set the tempo.''

Here he provided us with an insight into his line of thinking. "Generally the pace bowler intimidates the batsman. I thought why couldn't a batsman intimidate the pacemen. The motto was `get them, before they get you'.''

Powered by Greatbatch's blazing strokes, and Martin Crowe's inspirational captaincy and batting, New Zealand enjoyed a `dream run' until a young Inzamam-ul-Haq spoilt the party in the semifinal.

On the up-coming Test and ODI series between India and New Zealand, the 39-year-old said, "it could turn very interesting. I actually think, you guys can make a bit of history here. You have not won a Test series outside the sub-continent since '86, this could be your best chance.''

The primary reason for Greatbatch's relative lack of confidence in the New Zealand side is due to the lack of early season form of several of its leading cricketers.

Dravid, Bond hold the key

He believes two men hold the key to the series, New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond and the technically pure Indian No 3. Rahul Dravid. "Bond has got raw pace and can swing the ball. He troubled the Aussies last year, and they have got quality players. If he finds his rhythm and strikes big, India could be in trouble. You have talented stroke-makers in Sehwag, Tendulkar, Laxman and skipper Ganguly. But Dravid is the main player. He is the fulcrum, the man who provides the side a base, and if he sets up a platform, the others could fire.''

On the one-day series, Greatbatch felt if the conditions were cold and wet, and the pitches seaming, then New Zealand could have an edge. "If the wickets are flat, then India should clinch the series.''

Like most Kiwis, Greatbatch had a special word of appreciation for Sachin Tendulkar. "He was here in '89, and I played in that series. Tendulkar is back again in 2002. For someone to be so good for so long, his work ethic has to be exceptional.''

Greatbatch is remembered for his booming blows with the willow, yet it was a memorable defensive Test innings that forms his finest moment in cricket. In the 1989-90 series, Greatbatch defied the Aussie pace attack that comprised Merv Hughes, Terry Aldermann, Carl Rackemann, and Geoff Lawson for ten hours and 55 minutes in Perth to save the Test for New Zealand.

The Kiwi remained unbeaten on 146 in the second innings, and New Zealand, following on, managed to salvage the Test on a quick WACA pitch. "That will stay in my mind. They were all fine pacemen, and there was help for them from the pitch. I took it ball by ball, I concentrated hard.''

It was also an innings where Steve Waugh kept chirping from gully - "you cannot play mate. You are going to get out any time mate.'' Yet, those were the two days when Greatbatch played, played and played...an innings that can be `batched' with the `great' ones.

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