Neesham gets back in the groove

JIMMY NEESHAM dragged himself out of a mini-slump in form, while giving the New Zealand selectors a timely reminder of what he can do with the bat.

Neesham headed into Boxing Day under pressure after scoring just 39 runs from four test innings against Pakistan in the UAE last month.

The 24-year-old might not have played in the first test against Sri Lanka at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval had fellow all-rounder Corey Anderson not been sidelined with a groin strain.

Neesham played himself back into form, scoring an entertaining 85 from 80 balls yesterday, which included 10 fours and three sixes.

It was a timely knock for Neesham, if Anderson is fit again for the second test in Wellington. New Zealand’s one-day Cricket World Cup squad also needs to be finalised by January 7.

Neesham played an excellent support role to skipper Brendon McCullum, who was blazing away at the other end, on his way to 195 from 134 balls.

The significance of Neesham’s knock was largely lost in the wake of McCullum’s blistering batting. Not for the first time either. When Neesham scored a century on debut against India in February, it was in the shadows of McCullum’s record-breaking 302.

Neesham and McCullum combined for a 153-run fifth-wicket stand, taking the Sri Lankan bowling attack apart, as they scored at a remarkable 7.84 an over during their stand.

New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan said Neesham fed off McCullum’s explosive performance at the other end.

‘‘It was probably the perfect situation for him to come to the crease to see McCullum at the other end,’’ he said.

‘‘That just gives you confidence at the other end, regardless of how you’re playing, when you see someone at the other end making it look so easy.’’