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Kyle Jamieson is a rising star in international cricket and a proud son of Auckland, New Zealand. Standing tall at 6'8", he is the tallest player to have played for the Black Caps and one of the most promising fast bowlers in contemporary cricket. In this profile, we will explore his life, career, achievements, strengths and weaknesses of a towering cricketer.
Born on December 30th, 1994, in Auckland, New Zealand, Kyle Jamieson had always been destined for great things in the sport of cricket. He attended Auckland Grammar School where he honed his skills as an all-rounder in both basketball and cricket. Despite being proficient as a point guard in basketball, Jamieson chose to pursue cricket due to his prowess as a fast bowler.
He made his spot on the national radar when he was selected for New Zealand's squad for the 2014 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. It was clear from the start that he was something special with a unique combination of height and pace.
Jamieson's rise to prominence came through domestic cricket when he first played for Canterbury before moving over to Auckland. In the 2018-19 Super Smash Tournament,
Jamieson left an indelible mark by taking extraordinary figures of 6 wickets for just seven runs against Central Districts - which still stands as a New Zealand T20 record.
That performance earned him international recognition, and he made his debut against India in February 2020 at Eden Park.
In only his second Test match against India, Jamieson proved pivotal by recording five-wicket hauls in both innings taking nine wickets overall in the match and helping secure victory for New Zealand.
In the Test format, Jamieson has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. In 16 matches, he has taken an impressive 72 wickets at an average of 19.45. His best innings figures are 6/48, while his best match figures are 11/117. These numbers reflect his ability to trouble batsmen with his height and bounce.
In ODIs, Jamieson has played eight matches, taking 11 wickets at an average of 26.90. His best innings figures so far are 3/45. While he is still establishing himself in the limited-overs format, he has shown glimpses of his potential to become a key contributor for New Zealand.
Similarly, in T20Is, Jamieson has played eight matches and taken four wickets at an average of 70.25. His best innings figures are 2/15. Though these numbers may not be as impressive as in Test cricket or ODIs, they highlight his versatility across formats.
Outside international matches, Jamieson's performances for various teams have also been noteworthy. He represented the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and was signed by Surrey County Cricket Club following the conclusion of the ICC World Test Championship Final in 2021.
Among his notable achievements is being named the player of the match in the 2019-2021 ICC World Test Championship Final. Jamieson's seven-wicket haul, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings, played a crucial role in New Zealand's historic victory.
In terms of recent news, it was announced in July 2023 that Jamieson would be moving to Canterbury for the upcoming season. Additionally, he underwent back surgery in March 2023, which temporarily sidelined him from action.
Kyle Jamieson's career has been relatively brief so far, but he has already made a significant impact in major tournaments and series. His performance in the 2019-2021 ICC World Test Championship was particularly noteworthy, with his contributions playing a crucial role in New Zealand's victory. During the final against India, Jamieson picked up five wickets in the first innings, helping to restrict India to a relatively low score.
Jamieson has also played in T20 tournaments, including the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the 2021 IPL auction, he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a whopping INR 15 crore ($2 million), making him one of the most expensive buys of that season. He lived up to expectations during his stint with RCB, taking nine wickets in seven matches at an impressive economy rate of 6.63.
In addition to his performances in international and league cricket, Jamieson has also excelled in domestic cricket. He achieved remarkable figures of 6 for 7 in four overs during a Super Smash match, which remains a New Zealand T20 record.
Kyle Jamieson is primarily known as a right-arm fast bowler who generates awkward bounce due to his exceptional height of six feet eight inches. His bowling technique is unique, with an easy run-up and fluid action that allows him to generate both swing and seam movement with relative ease.
Jamieson's fuller deliveries are particularly dangerous; they can be deceptive for batsmen when they start swinging towards the stumps at pace. While he may not possess express pace like some other fast bowlers in world cricket today, his precision and consistency make him stand out from his peers.
Kyle Jamieson is known for his unassuming personality both on and off the field. He is considered a team player who is always willing to put the team's interests ahead of his own. In interviews, he comes across as humble and grounded, with a refreshingly straightforward approach to answering questions.
In a short span, Kyle Jamieson has established himself as one of the most talented fast bowlers in international cricket. Standing tall at 6'8", his height provides him with an advantage in generating bounce and swing from any pitch. His humongous strides to the crease make it challenging for batsmen to pick his length accurately.
Kyle Jamieson's performances have inspired many young cricketers worldwide to take up fast bowling. In addition, his rise has given hope to those cricketers who do not fit into conventional moulds due to their height or other attributes.
Since making his debut, Kyle Jamieson has been among the most talked-about young talents globally, earning accolades with every game he plays. In January 2022, he was named in the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year for 2021 after a phenomenal year that saw him emerge as one of the top performers for New Zealand.
Jamieson has been awarded several man-of-the-match awards since his debut across formats and continues to be a vital cog for New Zealand Cricket.
Kyle Jamieson has made a name for himself with his exceptional pace bowling skills coupled with his useful lower-order batting contributions. His height provides him with an edge over other fast bowlers globally, which allows him to generate above-average bounce and cause trouble for batsmen on any pitch.
The Auckland-born fast bowler has quickly become a vital member of the New Zealand cricket team and one of the most talked-about young talents in international cricket. His performances have been nothing short of awe-inspiring, making him a force to be reckoned with at such an early stage in his career.
FAQs
When did Kyle Jamieson make his international debut?
Kyle Jamieson made his international debut for New Zealand in February 2020 against India.
What are Kyle Jamieson's career statistics in Test matches?
In 16 Test matches, Kyle Jamieson has taken 72 wickets at an average of 19.45, with best figures of 6/48.
Has Kyle Jamieson received any awards in his career so far?
Yes, Kyle Jamieson was named in the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year for 2021.
What impact does Kyle Jamieson have on other cricketers?
With his skill set and performances, Kyle Jamieson has become an influential figure among aspiring fast bowlers worldwide.
How has Kyle Jamieson contributed as a batsman?
While primarily known as a bowler, Kyle Jamieson has showcased his batting abilities with the highest score of 51* in Test matches.
