I dont think Greatbatch was the founder of pinch hitting at all. In fact I remember Australia doing it in the 80s with Tim Zoehrer who was the wicket keeper. He came in to open the batting and just tried to hit anything for 6. He was the first.
This is what Kiwis need now, a man who ain't scared to go down the pitch. These days they are just too scared to drive the ball down to the ground let alone hitting. Wish Greatbatch had played for Kiwis for a long time.
@eyesonthetube He'd certainly be one of the first players I can remember who attacked regularly in the first 15 overs. Sidhu is another. Didn't Botham play a pinch-hitting role in the 1992 WC as well?
Although, scoring at 5 - 6 runs an over as NZ were there at the end of the video, this makes a good case for playing more Michael Becan-esque innings of collecting those singles and at much lower risk.
well! its true about Mark Grearbatch, however the process was more frequently and succesfully used by Amir Sohail and Saeed Anwar of Pakistan plus Sanath Jayasuria and Romesh Kaluwwitharana of Srilanka. Amir Sohail and Saeed Anwar holds the record of most runs in opening during 1993 and 1999. Similarly, the second position goes to Romesh Kalu and Jayasuria. The main weapon of these two pairs was pinch hitting.
@183yasir You've quoted Sohail/Anwar as being 1993-1999, while Jayasuriya/Kaluwitharana started this in 1996. This footage of Greatbatch is from the World Cup in March 1992, which is before either of these pairs. The comment by TheZeeair says "Mark Greatbatch of New Zealand, is considered the founder of modern pinch hitting in early overs of one day cricket." Which part of that are you disputing? I don't understand the reasoning behind your comment in that context.
@Swannerator: I am not disputing any part of it. I am just saying that although Greatbatch was the first to use pinch hitting as a weapon but did'nt maintain it and that he was'nt too fast while using this as compare to Jayasuria/Romesh & Anwar/Sohail.
@183yasir . I am not disputing any part of it. I am just saying that although Greatbatch was the first to use pinch hitting as a weapon but did'nt maintain it and that he was'nt too fast while using this as compare to Jayasuria/Romesh & Anwar/Sohail.
So sad for NZ this world cup. The semi-final against pakistan was heart-breaking. However, the preceding few weeks were the most exciting cricket for NZ ever.
having said all about greatbatch, does any one know that in 1990 he scored one of the slowest hundreds in test cricket (against Aus in NZ in one off test match). He was considered as the solid, slow rock of that middle order since 1988-1992 and it was Martin Crowe who when took over from John Wright (when wright regused to tour Pakistan in 1990) that greatbatch was used as slog hitter as opener. The 1st experiment was actually done in PAkistan in 1990 with Ken Rutherford as opener.
I think you can consdier this pinch hitting back in 1992 . Maybe not these days but certainly back then... back then it was good to be 50/0 after 15. but how bad was Latham? haha
No. Botham opened as a pinch-hitting in the 1980s with some success. The West Indies and Australia both experimented with pinch-hitters at the top of the order. And they were all true pinch-hitters, not just batsmen who played aggressively.
How can it be 'pinch hitting in the early overs' when they were 17 off six overs and 41 off the first ten? Greatbatch was just hitting bad balls for boundaries!
@TheThirdUmpire - Greatbatch's approach was an experiment of sorts. His selection was contentious and it was obvious he was instructed to attack the bowling at all cost. Kaluwitharana took it to the next level for Sri Lanka at the following WC and it's obvious today how the concept has evolved.
@Xfactories The definition of a pinch-hitter is someone sent in early or out of position to slog. Greatbatch wasn't slogging, he was simply batting aggressively. Nor was he batting out of position, since he opened regularly. Greatbatch was always entertaining to watch but I don't think he was the guy who started all this business of scoring 90+ in the first 15 overs.
He opened regularly....since when? Oh since the first match of the 92 World Cup as illustrated above? And yes he was slogging - raised the ire of Marshall and Ambrose for not treating them with enough respect. Don't forget - this was an era where 250 was a hugely competitive score.
No. Greatbatch started his career with Auckland as an opener. He was first picked in the middle-order for NZ because it had established openers. He wasn't even picked for the first couple of games in 1992 and only came in because John Wright was injured. And I repeat - he was not slogging, he was batting aggressively.
This theory that Greatbatch 'invented' attacking batting in the '92 World Cup is a fiction. Anyone who saw the West Indies play in the 1980s would scoff at it.
Botham opened as a pinch-hitter in the WSC in Australia. In one of the finals he belted 71 off 52 balls. That was in 1987, five years before Greatbatch allegedly "invented" pinch-hitting.
@Xfactories That is so true about 250 stuff. As my mom used to say 250 is somehow unbeatable and will have psychological effect on opponent. And now we have world record beaten by world record while chasing in same game.
I dont think Greatbatch was the founder of pinch hitting at all. In fact I remember Australia doing it in the 80s with Tim Zoehrer who was the wicket keeper. He came in to open the batting and just tried to hit anything for 6. He was the first.
frankmat 1 week ago
This is what Kiwis need now, a man who ain't scared to go down the pitch. These days they are just too scared to drive the ball down to the ground let alone hitting. Wish Greatbatch had played for Kiwis for a long time.
mamobin 2 months ago
If 20-20 was invented a few months later.. Greatbatch would've been one of the highest paid..
slugworth28 2 months ago
Q WHAT IS PINCH HITTING ?
zeb120 3 months ago
I would say srikkanth was the pioneer.
eyesonthetube 4 months ago
@eyesonthetube He'd certainly be one of the first players I can remember who attacked regularly in the first 15 overs. Sidhu is another. Didn't Botham play a pinch-hitting role in the 1992 WC as well?
Swannerator 4 months ago
Although, scoring at 5 - 6 runs an over as NZ were there at the end of the video, this makes a good case for playing more Michael Becan-esque innings of collecting those singles and at much lower risk.
sakent 9 months ago
Old memories are back, whata player he was and that hitting in early overs was something of novelty at that times......
shakkw 1 year ago 2
Yeah.....and there were no power play or 15 over restriction those days .... the batsmen were more solid....
nash1679 1 year ago
10 overs 46 runs were like 10 overs 90 runs these days...
shaikeleyas 1 year ago
Romesh Kaluwwitharana was instrumental in pinch hitting
jarrethcutestory 1 year ago
i think liuchies was talking about the chip sound
SUSMYB69 1 year ago
well! its true about Mark Grearbatch, however the process was more frequently and succesfully used by Amir Sohail and Saeed Anwar of Pakistan plus Sanath Jayasuria and Romesh Kaluwwitharana of Srilanka. Amir Sohail and Saeed Anwar holds the record of most runs in opening during 1993 and 1999. Similarly, the second position goes to Romesh Kalu and Jayasuria. The main weapon of these two pairs was pinch hitting.
183yasir 1 year ago
@183yasir You've quoted Sohail/Anwar as being 1993-1999, while Jayasuriya/Kaluwitharana started this in 1996. This footage of Greatbatch is from the World Cup in March 1992, which is before either of these pairs. The comment by TheZeeair says "Mark Greatbatch of New Zealand, is considered the founder of modern pinch hitting in early overs of one day cricket." Which part of that are you disputing? I don't understand the reasoning behind your comment in that context.
Swannerator 4 months ago
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@Swannerator: I am not disputing any part of it. I am just saying that although Greatbatch was the first to use pinch hitting as a weapon but did'nt maintain it and that he was'nt too fast while using this as compare to Jayasuria/Romesh & Anwar/Sohail.
183yasir 3 months ago
@183yasir . I am not disputing any part of it. I am just saying that although Greatbatch was the first to use pinch hitting as a weapon but did'nt maintain it and that he was'nt too fast while using this as compare to Jayasuria/Romesh & Anwar/Sohail.
183yasir 3 months ago
What an out-spendid shot! ahhh Blowers!
Paddy B's hit off MM for 6 over extra cover is still one of the greatest shots ever
sambof78 1 year ago
1:14 pure nz sound..
liuchies 1 year ago
@liuchies Don't you like Henry Blofeld?
IanGorton 1 year ago
So sad for NZ this world cup. The semi-final against pakistan was heart-breaking. However, the preceding few weeks were the most exciting cricket for NZ ever.
stoprainingonme 1 year ago
having said all about greatbatch, does any one know that in 1990 he scored one of the slowest hundreds in test cricket (against Aus in NZ in one off test match). He was considered as the solid, slow rock of that middle order since 1988-1992 and it was Martin Crowe who when took over from John Wright (when wright regused to tour Pakistan in 1990) that greatbatch was used as slog hitter as opener. The 1st experiment was actually done in PAkistan in 1990 with Ken Rutherford as opener.
infomist 1 year ago
Romesh Kalu (sorry for being ignorant I can't spell the rest of his name) really tore things up in the mid nineties. Super stuff.
jarrethcutestory 1 year ago
I think you can consdier this pinch hitting back in 1992 . Maybe not these days but certainly back then... back then it was good to be 50/0 after 15. but how bad was Latham? haha
davidjames1923 1 year ago
The landmarks in this evolution were:
1- Greatbatch's impact in the '92 World Cup, puzziled all teams.
2- Tendulkar being promoted in the '94 NZ series, and shocking everyone with aggresive play.
3- Jayasurya and Kalu introduced against the Aussies down under in '95, without any opening experience.
cathwitness 2 years ago
No. Botham opened as a pinch-hitting in the 1980s with some success. The West Indies and Australia both experimented with pinch-hitters at the top of the order. And they were all true pinch-hitters, not just batsmen who played aggressively.
TheThirdUmpire 1 year ago
How can it be 'pinch hitting in the early overs' when they were 17 off six overs and 41 off the first ten? Greatbatch was just hitting bad balls for boundaries!
TheThirdUmpire 2 years ago
@TheThirdUmpire - Greatbatch's approach was an experiment of sorts. His selection was contentious and it was obvious he was instructed to attack the bowling at all cost. Kaluwitharana took it to the next level for Sri Lanka at the following WC and it's obvious today how the concept has evolved.
Xfactories 2 years ago
@Xfactories The definition of a pinch-hitter is someone sent in early or out of position to slog. Greatbatch wasn't slogging, he was simply batting aggressively. Nor was he batting out of position, since he opened regularly. Greatbatch was always entertaining to watch but I don't think he was the guy who started all this business of scoring 90+ in the first 15 overs.
TheThirdUmpire 2 years ago
He opened regularly....since when? Oh since the first match of the 92 World Cup as illustrated above? And yes he was slogging - raised the ire of Marshall and Ambrose for not treating them with enough respect. Don't forget - this was an era where 250 was a hugely competitive score.
Xfactories 2 years ago
No. Greatbatch started his career with Auckland as an opener. He was first picked in the middle-order for NZ because it had established openers. He wasn't even picked for the first couple of games in 1992 and only came in because John Wright was injured. And I repeat - he was not slogging, he was batting aggressively.
This theory that Greatbatch 'invented' attacking batting in the '92 World Cup is a fiction. Anyone who saw the West Indies play in the 1980s would scoff at it.
TheThirdUmpire 2 years ago
Did Ian Botham also get promoted up the order during the 1992 WC for England as the role of a pinch hitter?
dnur567 2 years ago
Botham opened as a pinch-hitter in the WSC in Australia. In one of the finals he belted 71 off 52 balls. That was in 1987, five years before Greatbatch allegedly "invented" pinch-hitting.
TheThirdUmpire 2 years ago
@Xfactories That is so true about 250 stuff. As my mom used to say 250 is somehow unbeatable and will have psychological effect on opponent. And now we have world record beaten by world record while chasing in same game.
hajijackson 2 years ago
That '92 cup was the best ever!
Greatbatch, Deepak Pates, Akram, Imran, Jhonty, Kirsten, Crowe and party each entertained in their own way!
cathwitness 2 years ago 28