NZ call up lanky Kyle for ODI

Wellington, Jan. 30: Injuries to frontline fast bowlers have forced New Zealand to opt for fresh blood in their pace attack, including the country’s tallest cricketer Kyle Jamieson, for the upcoming three-match ODI series against India.

The 6’8” tall uncapped Jamieson could be in for a potential debut in the series starting February 5 in Hamilton, while Scott Kuggeleijn and Hamish Bennett return to the squad after a long absence.

Injury has meant the likes of Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry are unavailable for the series. Nicknamed Killa, the towering Jamieson has been using his height to good effect in the domestic circuit, bouncing out batsmen.

Born in Auckland and brought up in Canterbury, the 25-year-od has of late sparkled for New Zealand A, including against the touring India A side recently. He is taller than New Zealand’s batting coach Peter Fulton, nicknamed ‘Two-metre Peter’.

While he was coming through the ranks following an impressive performance in the 2014 U-19 World Cup, the Black Caps tweeted in 2016: “Move over Two Metre Peter! Meet NZ’s new tallest cricketer Kyle Jamieson 2.03 metres (6’8) in jandals”.

Coach Gary Stead said his team was aware of the task at hand and looked up to his batsmen to step up. “We’ve seen from the Twenty20 series (India) are clearly as strong as ever,” Stead said.

“While the bowling lineup has a fresh look, the batting is very settled and we’ll likely have the same top eight batsmen from the World Cup finals.

“Tim Southee has an important job leading our new look pace attack.”

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