Greatbatch quits - and looks overseas

New Zealand's loss of top coaches to appointments overseas continued with the announcement that Mark Greatbatch was ending his 18-year association with Central Districts and looking abroad to further his career.

Greatbatch explained that talking to colleagues - especially Eric Simmons, South Africa's coach - had made him realise that the pay in New Zealand was quite a bit lower than elsewhere, prompting his decision.

"A provincial coach in South Africa earns around $120,000 (US$75,000), and we're not even close to that," he explained. "New Zealand Cricket give very good support to coaches in other areas but, hopefully, they will re-evaluate the money side."

Greatbatch will travel to England in May on a $10,000 (US$6,400) Prime Minister's scholarship and plans to spend time in Middlesex and Yorkshire and explore county coaching prospects.

He played 41 Tests between 1987 and 1997. He joined Central Districts from Auckland as a young batsman, moving into a coaching director's role before becoming their senior coach.