Mark John Greatbatch was a New Zealand cricketer. He scored more than 2,000 runs in his 41 Tests for New Zealand. A left-handed batsman and very occasional right-arm medium pace bowler in first class cricket for Auckland and Central Districts, Greatbatch scored 9,890 first class runs in total as well as being an occasional wicket keeper. Greatbatch highest test score of 146 not out off 485 balls was against Australia at Perth in November 1989. Greatbatch was at the crease for 11 hours to save New Zealand from defeat, the game ending in a draw because of his efforts. He received a standing ovation at the end of the game. Greatbatch?s defensive innings is still considered by many pundits to be one of the greatest cricket centuries ever, under the circumstances. For the 1992 Cricket World Cup Greatbatch was not selected to play in the first two matches, against Australia and Zimbabwe. However, he was selected to open in place of John Wright against South Africa, who had been injured, and proceeded to bat aggressively to take advantage of fielding restrictions early in the innings. 

December 11th, 1963 in Auckland (Age 60)