New Zealand all-rounder, Jimmy Neesham, on Saturday, September 17, is celebrating his 32nd birthday. Having made his debut way back in September 2012, Neesham remains one of their most effective batters, especially in the shortest format of the game. Having played 38 innings in 48 games, Neesham has amassed just 607 runs at an average of 25.29, but he has maintained a strike rate of 165.84.
Among players from full-member nations, Jimmy Neesham has the second-highest strike rate. The highest strike-rate of 173.29 belongs to the flamboyant Indian batter, Suryakumar Yadav. On his strike rate being lower than Suryakumar’s, Neesham poked fun at the hard-hitting Indian batter. Neesham took to Twitter and wrote, “Why’d you have to ruin a great tweet @surya_14kumar???”
Why’d you have to ruin a great tweet @surya_14kumar ??? https://t.co/BaesPqJrDa
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) September 17, 2022
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has suffered another setback as the star all-rounder Jimmy Neesham has decided to decline the New Zealand central contract. Neesham joins the likes of Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme, who had also decided to decline a central contract earlier. Jimmy Neesham wasn’t offered a contract initially and hence decided to play various T20 tournaments around the world.
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In his Instagram story, Jimmy Neesham said, “I know the news of my decision to decline a central contract today will be seen as me choosing money over representing my country. I had planned to accept a contract offer in July, however, since being left off the list I have committed to other leagues around the world. It was a difficult decision but I have decided to honor those commitments rather than go back on my word to re-sign with NZ Cricket.”
Jimmy Neesham further stated that representing the Blackcaps ‘has been the greatest honor of my career’, and he will continue with his current commitment to the Kiwis. Known for his humor and banter on social media, Neesham concluded his post with a cheeky remark on compatriot Mitchell Santner’s face.
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“Playing for the [Blackcaps] has been the greatest honor of my career and I remain committed to taking the field with my countrymen for the foreseeable future, especially in pinnacle world events,” he added.
