Be warned: Jamieson is far from the finished product
Watch out world. Kyle Jamieson reckons he’s a long way off the cricketer he wants to be, a scary prospect for opposition batsmen (and bowlers) given his incredible start to international cricket.
Jamieson has already reached rarified air, his match figures of 11-117 in the innings and 176-run win against Pakistan in Christchurch yesterday second only to Sir Richard Hadlee and Daniel Vettori among New Zealand bowlers.
His early record of 36 wickets in six tests, at an astonishing average of 13.28, has him on track to be just the fourth bowler this century to reach 50 test wickets in nine or fewer matches. Pace bowler Vernon Philander (seven), and spinners Yasir Shah and Ravi Ashwin (both nine) are the others.
For context, the quickest New Zealand bowler to 50 test wickets is
Shane Bond, who took 12 tests to get there.
Jamieson said it was not a stats man but had to pinch himself at joining a club with the likes of Hadlee and Vettori.
‘‘It’s kind of weird when you say it. Those two guys are legends of New Zealand cricket and I’ve just played my sixth test.’’
He spent six months over the Covid-19-affected winter honing his game in the nets and in terms of strength of conditioning, adding the inswinger to his game. That particular ball has been lethal for him this summer; case in point when he bowled Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan with a pearler in the second innings.
‘‘When you get such a big block of time to work on your batting and bowling and strength and conditioning it comes out in ways like this,’’ he said, adding a word of warning for opposition teams.
‘‘I still think there’s quite a bit [of improvement left]. I still feel like I’m a long way off the cricketer I want to be. I’m12months into my international career and it’s a long process.
‘‘There’s always things you’re trying to work on. It’s nice to be able to move the ball both ways and in different conditions that won’t necessarily always be helpful. In terms of different deliveries and different formats ... there’s nothing specific but you’re always trying to improve your game.’’
While captain KaneWilliamson noted the 26-year-old’s 2.04m frame was a massive advantage for him, being able to extract bounce from a trajectory that others can not, he had been most impressed by his attitude.
‘‘His ability to run in and hit the wicket hard for long spells, that’s something that Tim[Southee], Trent [Boult], Neil [Wagner], Matt Henry have prided themselves on for long periods of time that have allowed us a team to be successful, and Kyle’s come in and very much done that and done it extremely well.
‘‘He’s swinging the ball both ways as well. He’s a really special talent but like I say, his attitude, the way he’s come in and just tried to add to the group, whether that’s on the field or off the field, has been the most impressive thing.
‘‘I think if he continues to – and I’msure he will, he’s a got a great head on his shoulders – bring that great attitude that he has, things have come very thick and fast for Kyle which is a really enjoyable part to the game but also something that he’s learning a bit about as well and learning about himself.
‘‘But he’s got a real strong desire to improve and pick the brains of some of the senior guys that have been around for a long time. He’s a humble guy and a player that just wants to continue to get better and I’ve got no doubt that he will.’’