Greatbatch blasts New Zealand players for not learning from coaches advice

Wellington, Aug 29: Former New Zealand batting coach Mark Greatbatch has questioned whether today’s Black Caps have taken on board years of coaching and advice.

The tourists'''' vulnerability against spin bowling was ruthlessly exposed in their innings and 115-run defeat to India in the first test, where 18 of the 20 New Zealand wickets fell to spinners.

Though conditions were always going to be tough for batting after day one in Hyderabad, Greatbatch believed the poor return against the spinners was part of a bigger problem.

“You can only teach them so much, they have to take it on board and I''''m questioning whether or not they are. In the last four or five years, there have been people who have worked with players on playing spin and you''''d have to question whether or not the information being delivered and talked about is being held on to,” he said.

“The top 20 to 30 fringe players have had access to resources and coaches, you name it, they''''ve had it, but they''''re not getting any better in that department,” Greatbatch said.

There might have been as many as 40-50 people that have worked with the batsmen in one capacity or another in the past 10 years, stuff.co.nz quoted him, as saying.

Greatbatch  said: “A cynic would ask if all that information they''''ve been given is any good, but when you have guys like John Wright, myself, Bracewell, Andy Moles, Martin Crowe and Richard Hadlee involved, you''''d suggest we know a thing or two about it.

“The reality is you have to learn quickly over there, but there are basic fundamentals of playing spin.”

Greatbatch, who is being used by Central Districts for a training session on playing spin bowling this week, said batsmen needed to work on judging length first, and looking to get forward as often as they could.