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Beware of the world. Kyle Jamieson acknowledges that he is a far cry from the cricketer he wants to be, a terrifying prospect for opposing batsmen (and bowlers) given his incredible start in international cricket.
Jamieson has already reached thin air, his match figures of 11-117 in innings and a 176-run win against Pakistan in Christchurch on Wednesday second only to Sir Richard Hadlee and Daniel Vettori among New Zealand bowlers.
His starting record of 36 wickets in six tests, with a staggering 13.28 average, makes him the fourth pitcher this century to reach 50 proving grounds in nine games or less. Pace bowler Vernon Philander (7) and spinners Yasir Shah and Ravi Ashwin (both 9) are the others.
For context, the fastest New Zealand bowler on 50 testing grounds is Shane Bond, who took 12 tests to get there.
Jamieson said he wasn’t a statistics man, but he had to pinch himself by joining a club with the likes of Hadlee and Vettori.
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“It’s a little strange when you say it. Those two guys are New Zealand cricket legends and I just played my sixth test.
“It’s good to be in and around those names, but I’m happy to be part of this group and help us in some way to win games. We started the summer with the aim of winning four races and we are happy to do so ”.
He spent six months during the Covid-19 affected winter perfecting his game on the net and in terms of conditioning strength, adding the inswinger to his game. That particular dance has been lethal for him this summer; for example when he pitched Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, with a pearl in the second inning.
“When you have that much time to work on hitting, bowling, strength and conditioning, it all comes out this way,” he said, adding a warning for opposition teams.
“I still think there is enough [of improvement left]. I still feel like I’m a long way from the cricket player I want to be. I have been in my international career for 12 months and it is a long process.
“Hopefully I have another 9-10 years in this group and if that happens, there could be a little bit more to come.
“There are always things you are trying to work on. It’s nice to be able to move the ball both ways and in different conditions that won’t necessarily always be useful. In terms of different installments and different formats … there is nothing specific, but you are always trying to improve your game. “
While Captain Kane Williamson noted that the 26-year-old’s 2.04m frame was a huge advantage for him, being able to extract the rebound from a trajectory others cannot, he was very impressed by his attitude.
“His ability to run and hit the ground hard for long periods, that’s something that Tim (Southee), Trent (Boult), Neil (Wagner), Matt Henry have all prided themselves on for long periods of time that have allowed us to a team to be successful, and Kyle’s came in and did a lot and did it extremely well.
“He’s swinging the ball both ways, too. He’s a really special talent, but like I say, his attitude, the way he came in and tried to join the group, whether on or off the field, has been the most impressive.
“I think if he continues, and I’m sure he will, he has a great head on his shoulders, he will bring that great attitude that he has, things have gotten really hard and fast for Kyle, which is a really nice part for him. game, but also something about which he is learning a little and learning about himself.
“But he has a very strong desire to improve and pick the brains of some of the older guys that have been around for a long time. He is a humble guy and a player who just wants to keep improving and I have no doubt that he will. “