Who is Kyle Jamieson in the New Zealand setup? A new-ball bowler? A batting all-rounder? A wicket-taker or just a genuine extra in New Zealand’s T20 scheme of things? At the moment, it certainly looks like Jamieson is an extra that the Kiwis could avoid, especially considering their strength.
Despite boasting the world’s best talents, New Zealand have never come close to challenging other sides for the World T20 title – something that they would love to erase in 2021, in India. And their series against Australia, the five-match series certainly paints the picture that they are serious and worthy of being a proper-contender for the trophy.
Not because they have the world’s best talents but because they are continuously evolving in the shortest format as a team and not as individuals. And then walks in Kyle Jamieson, arguably New Zealand’s biggest talent in recent history – having already made all the right noises in the longest format. When someone as tall as him has adjusted to the tall needs of the Test cricket, how would the shortest format worry him?
The shortest format certainly didn’t worry Jamieson, instead, it was New Zealand’s setup, which doesn’t allow for another new-ball bowler, with the availability of both Trent Boult and Tim Southee in the setup. While Boult and Southee have shown thus far in the series that what makes New Zealand a dangerous side and the country – a dangerous place for visitors – owing to the swing and seam on offer, where does Jamieson fit in the scheme of things?
