Former Black Cap and 2015 Cricket World Cup hero

Overview

Grant Elliott is written into NZ sporting folklore as the man who hit the winning six that propelled the Black Caps into their first-ever Cricket World Cup final in 2015. An unbeaten 84 and the Man of the Match in the semi-final against South Africa at Eden Park is one of the great Kiwi sporting moments. Today Grant draws on that experience and a 100+ international cap career to speak on team culture, pressure, resilience and the difference enjoyment makes when the stakes are highest.

Who is Grant Elliott? Born in Johannesburg in 1979, Grant attended St Stithians College in South Africa before moving to NZ in 2001 on the advice of former NZ test captain Ken Rutherford. He debuted for the Black Caps in 2008, played 5 tests, 83 ODIs and 17 T20Is, and held the world record sixth-wicket ODI partnership (267* with Luke Ronchi) before the 2015 World Cup. Considered a "journeyman" until 2015, his redemption story is now one of NZ cricket's most loved. He retired from international cricket in 2017 and now works in business, commentary and coaching.

Career Highlights • Match-winning unbeaten 84 in the 2015 Cricket World Cup semi-final vs South Africa • Hit the winning six to put NZ into their first-ever Cricket World Cup final • 83 ODIs and 39 ODI wickets; 17 T20Is for NZ • World-record 6th-wicket ODI partnership (267* with Luke Ronchi) • Domestic captain of the Wellington Firebirds • TVNZ and SENZ cricket commentator

Key Speaking Themes • Performing under pressure in front of a nation • Team culture — the McCullum-era Black Caps • Resilience after being dropped and the long road back • "Enjoy the moment" — the mental shift that changed his career • Career transitions and life after professional sport

What Your Audience Will Gain Grant is genuine, articulate and refreshingly self-aware. Audiences leave with a memorable story, practical insight on managing pressure and resilience, and a clear blueprint for the cultural choices that build a winning team.

Ideal For • Sales kick-offs and corporate offsites • Leadership and culture events • Sport, performance and after-dinner speaking • Awards nights and gala dinners • Schools and youth leadership programmes

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Grant Elliott speak about? Team culture, performance under pressure, resilience, enjoying the moment and life after professional sport.

What is Grant Elliott best known for? Hitting the winning six against Dale Steyn in the 2015 Cricket World Cup semi-final, sending NZ into their first ever World Cup final, and his Man of the Match unbeaten 84.

How many games did Grant Elliott play for the Black Caps? Five tests, 83 ODIs and 17 T20Is for New Zealand between 2008 and 2017.

Was Grant Elliott born in New Zealand? No. He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1979, and moved to NZ in 2001 before qualifying to play for the Black Caps.

What does Grant Elliott do now? He works in business as a partnership manager, commentates on cricket for TVNZ and SENZ, and is a sought-after keynote speaker.

Is Grant Elliott available for keynotes and after-dinner events? Yes. Grant is in demand for corporate, sporting and after-dinner speaking engagements across NZ and Australia.