New Zealand all-rounder takes a sabbatical, hopes for a return soon

Team New Zealand are having a dominant time at home. After drubbing the hapless West Indies side across the three formats, they have their noses ahead against the visiting Pakistani team now. While the team is in sublime form, there are a few big names who seem to have been lost in all the team’s glory. The team is winning and hence, not many are talking about the stars who were once an indispensable part of this team.

And to be noted, this was not too long ago. One such New Zealand cricketer who has taken a sabbatical from the game is all-rounder Jimmy Neesham. Neesham has not featured in any competitive game since the Christmas of 2017. He was dropped from the Otago side in the fixture against Auckland in the T20 Super Smash contest.

It was his poor form that had forced the Otago Volts coach Rob Walter to drop him from the side. Since then, he has opted for a break. The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) spokesperson, Callum Elder, agreed on the same and noted that Neesham has taken a break in order to freshen up one more time. There is no certain date about his potential return as of now.

However, Elder remarked that the all-rounder is in talks with the Otago side for a potential return sometime soon. “He is talking to Otago and they will work through a potential return,” Elder quoted.

Poor run of form

Earlier in the Super Smash season, Neesham struggled to get his act together with both bat and the ball. He could only muster 18 runs in 3 innings. Also, with the ball, his economy rate was well over 11. He had a decent time in the Plunket Shield though. Interestingly, Neesham is one among the 21 contracted players of New Zealand for 2017-18 season.

He lost out on his spot to all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme after the India tour last year. New Zealand coach Mike Hesson hopes to see Jimmy bounce back in fine fashion sometime soon. “We know Jimmy is a talented player, but we’ve spoken with him around improving the consistency in all areas of his game,” Hesson quoted.

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