11 Facts about Grant Elliott: The New Zealand all-rounder

It wasn’t until 2015 that South Africa realized that they had indeed lost a player in Grant Elliott. Although making it big on the world stage only in 2008, Elliot has had to wait rather patiently for his chance in Kiwi black colors. A splendid athlete with wonderful control over his batting and bowling make him a rare all-rounder who has equally excelled in both arts of batting. He has also been instrumental in T20 cricket, representing himself and New Zealand in 3 countries. As Grant Elliot comes towards the end of a glittering career, we take a look at a few facts about the New Zealand all-rounder.

1. Birth:

Grant David Elliott was born in Johannesburg, South Africa on the 21^st of March 1979.

2. Nickname:

His nicknames include Shunt, Magic, and Hairy Javelin.

3. The Proteas quota system:

The South African quota system for the selection of players in the cricket team included players with a plethora of restrictions. Ken Rutherford, the New Zealand Test skipper at the time urged him to make the switch to New Zealand squad. However, it wasn’t until the 2006/07 season that Elliot qualified for New Zealand selection.

4. Adoptive home at Wellington:

After emigrating to New Zealand, Elliot played his domestic cricket for Wellington. It has now been over ten years that he has been plying his cricketing trade at Wellington.

5. A tough cookie:

Ken Rutherford, the man who brought Elliot to New Zealand has always commended his work ethic. Former coach of the Wellington Firebirds, Anthony Stuart, commented that was “a tough cookie” while Glenn Turner has stated that Elliot was a ‘thoughtful character’.

6. South Africa career:

Grant Elliot has played for his native South Africa in all the junior levels. He was also part of the U19 side that played at home. He played alongside the likes of Michael Lumb, Robin Peterson, and Jacques Rudolph. He has represented Gauteng and Griqualand West in domestic cricket as well.

7. Many feathers in a hat:

Apart from his sound batting technique and ability to bowl off-cutters, he can also bowl off-break and leg-break spin. Perhaps that’s the reason he can bowl the wily off and leg cutters. He also works aprt-time as a business development manager.

8. World Cup 2015:

Grant Elliot wasn’t even supposed to be a part of the New Zealand squad for the 2015 World Cup at home. However, the selectors, in their infinite wisdom gave him a chance ahead of Jimmy Neesham. His greatest moment came in the semifinal against South Africa. He not only top scored for the Kiwis with a blistering 83 but also smashed a six of the penultimate ball to win the match for New Zealand.

9. Collision with Ryan Sidebottom:

In New Zealand’s 2008 tour of England, Grant Elliot and Ryan Sidebottom were involved in a controversial on-field collision. While trying to make a run to the non-striker’s end, it appeared as though Sidebottom got in the way of Elliot with the purpose of stopping him from completing the run. Elliot was adjudged run-out.

10. Highest partnership for 6^th wicket in ODIs:

A month prior to the 2015 World Cup, New Zealand played host to a touring Sri Lanka side to a series of Test matches and a bevy of ODIs. The fifth ODI at Dunedin witnessed a spectacle from Luke Ronchi and Elliot. Staring down the barrel at 93/5, the duo stitched a 267 run partnership, taking the Kiwis to an amazing 360/5 in 50 overs. This became the highest sixth wicket partnership in ODIs. The Kiwis clinched the win by 120 runs.

11. The Buzz Cricket Bat:

Grant Elliot is known to use the Buzz Cricket bat, a bat which he is the manufacturer of. It is used by himself, Dewayne Bowden, Mark Houghton, Leighton Morgan, Chris Nevin and Luke Woodcock.