A FORMER Test cricketer has joined Giggleswick School's sports staff

Mark Greatbatch, played 41 Test matches for New Zealand plus 84 one day internationals (earning man of the match awards in four of them) between 1998 and 1996.

He made his debut against England and the left handed batsman has a Test average of 30.62, with his best ever score being 146 not out against Australia in Perth in 1989. He played in cricket's World Cup in 1992 at which he averaged 44.71 runs

Greatbatch takes charge of all cricket coaching at Giggleswick and its preparatory school, Catteral Hall.

He moved into coaching after 16 successful years playing first class cricket, eight of them as a member of the New Zealand team during which time he amassed 2,021 test and 2,206 one day runs.

Between 1982 and 1992 he spent 10 seasons as a professional in the Yorkshire, Bradford and Northern Leagues, during which time he developed a love for the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas.

In recent years he has made coaching his career.

As a senior coach at the New Zealand Cricket Academy and director of coaching and development at Central Districts Cricket Association, he won the prestigious 'Coach of the Year' award.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to return to Yorkshire and look forward to developing and promoting cricket at Giggleswick," he said.

"We have some promising young cricketers coming through the school who are already looking forward to next season".

In addition to cricket coaching, Greatbatch, a former New Zealand under-19 rugby international, will be coaching the Giggleswick U15 rugby squad.