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It’s certainly going to be a different challenge in India: Jamieson
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Follow UsThe towering quick bowler said he will still try to stick to his strengths
New Zealand paceman Kyle Jamieson has had a dream start to his Test career but is aware of the challenges that lie ahead in India. The towering quick bowler has picked up 46 wickets in eight Tests at a stunning average of 14.17 and a strike rate 37.4, but has played all these games in bowling-friendly conditions.
Jamieson played his first six Tests in New Zealand before featuring in the Lord’s Test against England in June 2021. The right-arm seamer claimed only three wickets, but was super impressive in the inaugural World Test Championship final against India at Southampton. The 26-year-old claimed seven wickets and dismissed Indian Test captain Virat Kohli in both innings to help his team emerge victorious.
Jamieson might miss out on a spot in the playing XI for the first Test, starting on Thursday (November 25) in Kanpur, if New Zealand decide to play three spinners. The Black Caps also have Tim Southee and Neil Wagner in the squad who played in India in the past. The Kiwis haven’t played a Test since that final against Kohli and Co.
"It certainly feels like a long time ago. No better way to start than the challenge of India in India. I haven’t played a whole lot of cricket over here. I had the first half of the IPL which was good, but this will be different again," said Jamieson, as quoted by stuff.co.nz.
"I’ve got Wags and Timmy here, so that’ll be good to bounce ideas off of them, to get their expertise on how to bowl here. It’s certainly going to be a different challenge to what we get back home but I'm really looking forward to it."
No matter what, Jamieson said he will still try to stick to his strengths. "First and foremost I think for me it’s not trying to change my game too much – still try and stick to my strengths but try and adapt to what the conditions give. If I do play and get the new ball, it’s trying to swing that and as the conditions change and the roles change throughout the game, try to focus on that.”
Jamieson was also part of the T20 World Cup squad but didn’t get a single game, as his team finished runners-up to Australia.
"It was good to be part of and gave me a chance to step back, with the volume of cricket I’d been playing, a chance to work on my game and get back in the gym with Chris (Donaldson, the strength and conditioning coach)."