Mark Greatbatch

Former Test batsman Mark Greatbatch, who is currently a national selector, was named New Zealand's national cricket coach.

It is no secret that the Sachin Tendulkar started his career as a middle-order batsman and it was only when Navjot Sindhu got injured in New Zealand that the little master got his first opportunity at the top of the innings in ODIs. And Tendulkar has revealed that he asked skipper Azharuddin and manager Ajit Wadekar to give him one chance in Auckland.

Curtly Ambrose's glare to Mark Greatbatch in the 1992 World Cup after the Kiwi batsman had given him the charge is still talked about in New Zealand.

"I would say David Warner is the best of the lot. He is in great form and he knows how to take the attack to opposition," said ex-NZ opener Mark Greatbatch.

It was in the 1992 ODI World Cup when we first saw that opening the batting was not necessarily about playing out the new ball. Mark Greatbatch showed that with field restrictions in place, it was probably the best time to launch an attack that would make the job of the middle-order easier.

Former Australia coach John Buchanan is set to become the first director of cricket of New Zealand, according to a report.

Since the 1992 World Cup, ODI cricket has been in a state of constant flux. New rules have been added and some scrapped to try and make the game more dynamic. Here are some of the major ones that proved to be game-changers over the years.

The search for the next Indian coach has moved into second gear. The process, which seemed to have hit a rough patch after Graham Ford turned down the offer, is back in full swing.

New Zealand is a team that has always flattered to deceive. Over the years they have always come across as a very good fielding unit bolstered by some great individual talents, but never a world-beating force.

New Zealand is divided. A public opinion poll on one of the leading websites of New Zealand asked the fans who the Black Caps would prefer to play in the final on Sunday.

Unlike trend of batsmen taking the risk of going after the bowlers, change has been in the form of batsman trying to stay around right through the innings.

Teams in the ODI World Cup are adopting a different approach to chasing tall scores. Instead of being ultra-aggressive at the start, teams are focusing on preserving wickets in the first powerplay and increasing the tempo through the middle overs. Assessing the pitch and building partnerships are also seen as crucial in achieving big totals. Visiting teams, who have players experienced in Indian conditions due to the IPL, are relying on their knowledge of different venues to strategize accordingly.

Pakistan bowled out New Zealand for just 110 runs and achieved its target of 19 runs without losing a wicket, claiming a 10-wicket win in the first Test.

"Wicket-keepers today are all top batsmen as well. You look around the world, most of the 'keepers are very good batsmen. Adam Gilchrist changed the game for 'keepers coming up the order, MS Dhoni has done likewise in the middle order," Sanju Samson said, adding that, "It is now almost a norm to have a wicketkeeper who is a very good top- or middle-order batsman."

Most have an unassuming trait but once pinch-hitters walk to the crease, they develop beastly instincts and wreak havoc in the opposition camps.

The ability to bowl the yorker, the bouncer and the slower ball is the secret of success in limited overs cricket.

When Indian captain Virat Kohli decided to open the batting with his deputy Rohit Sharma in the deciding fifth T20I against England on Saturday, it became a big talking point. TimesofIndia.com ran a poll asking - Is the Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli pair India's overall best pick for an opening combination in T20Is?

Many teams have dared to unleash new tactics and ploys on the World Cup stage. As the 2015 edition dawns, TOI looks back at the ways the game has changed over the years...