Jimmy Neesham has revealed he was told by coach Mike Hesson to concentrate on his bowling to cement his spot in the team.
Ever since Jimmy Neesham has returned from his lengthy back injury, the highly-rated all-rounder has struggled to find his rhythm in bowling while his batting has improved with every passing game.
He returned to action during the ODI series in India in October and since then the right-arm fast bowler has taken 10 ODI wickets at 36.40 at an economy of 7.00. On the other hand, he has scored 232 runs in 50-overs cricket since then and was New Zealand’s second-highest run-getter in the Chappell-Hadlee series in Australia last year.
His performance in the first match of the ongoing Chappell-Hadlee series is a true reflection of the way his comeback has panned out. His important 48-run knock was followed by a poor bowling display as he conceded 49 runs in only 5 overs without taking a wicket.
He batted at No. 4 in Australia but came at No. 7 in the first ODI against Australia and while admitting that the promotion in the batting order boosted his confidence, he revealed head coach Hesson has made it clear that his role would be that of an all-rounder in the team.
“It was a big confidence boost for me in Australia, having the selectors have the faith in me to bat four in international cricket,” he said.
“I think there was a fair bit of constanation from outside the group when that team was picked, about whether I had the ability to do it or not. But scoring the runs over there against the best team in the world in their own backyard, obviously gives you a bit of confidence.
“I would be cool with that, if I was selected [as a specialist batsman]. But Hess [Hesson] has made it pretty clear to me that he wants me batting and bowling in the unit. And that’s the balance that the allrounder brings to the team I guess,” he added.
“It’s something I’m looking to not change in the near future, and hopefully I can progress in both skills equally.”
New Zealand is leading the three-match series 1-0 after winning the series opener in Auckland while the second ODI at McLean Park was abandoned. The extra time has given Neesham to work more on his bowling and he is hopeful that he can do well in the last game at Hamilton.
“I think my bowling’s been steadily improving over the last six or so months, it’s certainly not a finished product yet,” Neesham said.
“But we’ve been working on quite a lot of stuff, myself and [bowling coach] Shane Jurgensen, in the nets in Napier, to rectify a few things. I’m not going to tell you what they are, but hopefully come Hamilton those will be slightly better.
“It’s not going to be 100 per cent overnight, but it’s certainly something we’re looking to improve,” he concluded.