Jimmy Neesham: 12 little-known facts about the exhilarating Kiwi all-rounder

James Douglas Sheahan Neesham, born September 17, 1990, is a supremely talented and an exciting prospect from New Zealand. The Aucklander has played 19 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) scoring 238 runs at a strike-rate of 95.58, that is the stand out feature considering he comes at the fag-end of the innings. He is more than effective with the ball and has accounted for 20 wickets. He still has a lot to do in Tests to impress though he has scored back-to-back centuries in his first two Tests.  Too early to make an assessment but as of now it seems that he is blossoming in a fertile garden. As he turns 25, Ankit Banerjee lists the big days in his career till date and his preferences.

1.  Dream debut

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It is a cricketer’s dream to smash a ton on Test debut and to actually get it is surreal but Jimmy Neesham is one of those rare cricketers who have breached this feat. He scored a hundred on Test debut that too against India. He scored a sparkling 137 in 2014. The match is best remembered for Brendon McCullum’s triple-ton.

2.  Exciting Eight

 His 137 on debut apparently is the highest by any number eight ever on Test debut. What a feat, Jumbo!

 3.  Dream Run

Neesham became the first New Zealander and overall eighth batsman to notch up back-to-back tons in his first two Tests. In his second Test, he scored 107 against West Indies at Sabina Park, Kingston.

4.  The Otago star

His stint at Otago Volts redefined his career; he was very successful representing Otago Volts. In 2011-12 he made three 40-plus scores in seven matches and they were quick-fire knocks. He was also successful with the ball taking a career-best 5 for 44 against Wellington and 4 for 23 against Canterbury.

5.  The India connection

He has played IPL 7 for Delhi Daredevils and in the eighth edition he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders but couldn’t play due to injury.

6.  Wild, Wild West

 ‘Imagine if your cricket gear went through America and they drilled holes in your bat to look for drugs’ well that is what he tweeted as that is what he faced in US while he was travelling to play in the Caribbean Premier League.

 7.  Mr. 277

He averaged 170.00 before his second Test. Batting at No 6; he added another 107 runs before being dismissed. His average reached 277.00 before he was dismissed. Neesham’s batting average of 277.00 is the highest achieved by any New Zealander at any point in Test career. He overcame Hamish Marshall, who was averaging 255.00 before he was dismissed in the first inning of his third Test.

8.  Masculine voice

He has a masculine voice and was hailed by a moderator for that during a show for a radio station in New Zealand.

9.  Passionate golfer

Apparently Neesham is a passionate golfer as he mentioned about that in the same radio station show.

10.  Federer Fan

He is a die-hard Roger Federer fan as his Twitter speaks volumes of it when he took on Craig Mac Millan over his comment on Novak Djokovic is the best modern tennis player. Neesham placed a quick Roger Federer defence. He tweeted, “Settle down macca. Just because you don’t like Federer as a person doesn’t mean you can deny he’s the greatest.”

11.  Floored by Mike Hussey

He is a big admirer of the MikeHussey’s cover-drive and he has accepted it on his Twitter page.

12.  “Nick Krygious of New Zealand cricket”

He has admitted again on Twitter that he is the Nick Krygious of the New Zealand cricket team. Krygious is hailed as the most indisciplined tennis player of modern times.

So does he mean that he is the badass of the NZ dressing room? Food for thought!

(A cricket geek to the tee, Ankit Banerjee smokes and snorts it all day long. The romance with the sport incepted since the 1996 World Cup semi-final. He is a winner of the 2011 edition of the All-India college cricket quiz.)