Not many expected New Zealand to turn up the way they have so far at the 2019 ICC World Cup. In their three matches so far in the competition, the Black Caps have managed resounding wins, largely thanks to their pace bowlers.
So much has been their faith in the pace battery that captain Kane Williamson has managed to develop a plan around them. With a lone spinner in Mitchell Santner, the Kiwis have successfully negated the opposition’s batting prowess so far.
While Trent Boult has led the bowling ably, it’s the likes of Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson and Colin de Grandhomme who have chipped in with valuable contributions so far. Joining this clan on Saturday (June 8) was James Neesham. The 28-year-old was on fire against Afghanistan as he dismantled their line-up with ease to register his best figures at the World Cup – five for 31.
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A composed and determined figure on the field, Neesham was in his elements against Afghanistan. Barely did he let the minnows have a sniff at his plans as he kept the batsmen guessing with every ball. And with the constant pressure from the other end, the Kiwi could draw the opposition into playing risky shots if they wanted to keep the scoreboard ticking.
The plan worked well for New Zealand as they could bundle the Afghan side out for a mere 172, a target that was chased down by them without much fuss. Neesham would rightfully have walked away with the Man of the Match award on Saturday, grabbing headlines at will, but it’s not the first time that you have seen this man amuse many with his skills.
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But things were never this easy for this man from Auckland. In June of 2017, Neesham found himself battling depression. Dropped from the New Zealand set-up after their Champions Trophy exit, Neesham contemplated retirement and even consulted a psychologist for help. While he always remained determined to take his place back in the team, poor form and injury concerns had made the entire process overwhelming for Neesham. More definitely, Neesham thought he was falling out of love with cricket.
But he hung on, a decision which in the hindsight, couldn’t have been timed better. He recovered, made a switch to Wellington and on the back of excellent domestic form, made a triumphant return to the side for an ODI series against Sri Lanka. That right there was Neesham’s second-coming. Overcoming the biggest odd, the New Zealand allrounder was back from the dead. His next stop: World Cup.
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At Taunton on Saturday, it was his little moment of redemption. Afghanistan looked to be in a fun mood and Hazratullah Zazai, clearing his front foot, was swinging everything at sight. Afghanistan had put on 51 for the opening wicket where Henry and Boult seemed ineffective.
The surface had more than just a tinge of grass on it, and Williamson, who usually employs de Grandhomme as first change with Ferguson, handed the ball to Neesham, believing he could get good pace out of the surface. Not only did Neesham answer his captain’s call, he attacked Afghanistan’s batsmen with tight, back-of-the-length bowling, en-route to claiming the best figures of his professional career. In a space of eight deliveries, Neesham changed the game on its head as Afghanistan, from 66 for 0, slumped to 70 for 4.
Now, how’s that for a statement!!!
Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Saeed Khan
