After waiting for an eternity, New Zealand finally bagged an ICC title after beating India in the WTC final on Wednesday at Rose Bowl Stadium in Southampton. The Blackcaps have been crowned the World Champions in Test Cricket.
Numerous Kiwi players made significant contributions in the WTC final win. However, the one who caught everyone’s attention was Kyle Jamieson. The 6 feet 8 inches tall fast bowler is India’s new nemesis.
PoTM Jamieson bowled the most economical fifer for NZ against India
Jamieson earned the Player of the Match performance for his outstanding returns in the match. He picked 7 wickets for 71 runs in 46 overs in the match including a 5-31 from 22 overs in the first innings. His first innings performance was the most economical fifer for a New Zealand bowler against India in Tests, bowled at a rate of 1.41. The earlier record stood with the best pacer of New Zealand, Sir Richard Hadlee who had returned figure of 5-47 from 33 overs against India in the Christchurch Test of 1981, at a rate of 1.42.
Jamieson bowled as many as 22 maidens in his spell. Yes, you read that right! Twenty-two maidens in forty-six overs.
Got the big fishes – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara
Jamieson was the best bowler in action during the entire Test match. It was Jamieson who broke India’s opening partnership after Trent Boult and Tim Southee produced a dull opening spell in India’s first innings. Rohit Sharma did nothing wrong until Jamieson was brought into the attack. The Indian opener had played the ball to its merit, left the balls which were pitched outside off and hammered the bad balls to the boundary.
However, Jamieson’s swing, bounce and accuracy did surprise the Indian openers and the 6’8” bowler finally got the big fish in the 21st over of India’s first innings. Rohit Sharma edged the ball to Tim Southee standing at third slip, who pouched the catch with ease.
Kyle Jamieson’s awkward bounce and ability to swing the ball both ways also troubled Virat Kohli, who got out to him in the two innings of the Test match. Cheteshwar Pujara too looked uncomfortable with Jamieson’s uncomfortable bounce and Jamieson accounted for India’s solid number three batter’s wicket in the second innings as he edged the ball to Ross Taylor stationed at first slip.
Great asset for New Zealand
Kyle Jamieson’s ability to swing the red cherry both ways make him a great asset for New Zealand in Test Cricket. Moreover, his height helps him extract a lot of bounce which makes it even more difficult to bat against him. On top of it, his unnerving accuracy makes him a potentially great fast bowler in the making. Kane Williamson would be the happy to have such a lethal weapon in his armory.
Third best bowling average of 14.17 in Test history for bowlers with at least 40 wickets
In only 8 Tests that he has played in his career so far, he has managed to pick as many as 46 wickets at an astonishing bowling average of 14.17, incidentally the third best (for bowlers with at least 40 wickets) after George Lohmann of England (112 wickets at 10,75) and John Ferris of Australia and England (61 wickets at 12.70).
In only 16 Tests innings, Kyle Jamieson has already picked 5 five-wicket hauls, which tells you how much of an impact he has managed to make in a short span. If his numbers are anything to go by, Jamieson is certainly on the road to become one of the greats of the game. Would he be able to continue to exhibit impactful performances, only time will tell!
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