MCG test ‘special’ for Jamieson
It’s the phone call every New Zealand cricketer dreams of and for Kyle Jamieson it came out of the blue.
The big Auckland fast bowler will fly out to Melbourne today to join the Black Caps squad for the Boxing Day test, replacing Lockie Ferguson, who has returned home due to his calf injury.
Jamieson, 24, hasn’t even been to the MCG, let alone played there, so it’s little wonder he’s happy to shelve his plans for a family Christmas in Auckland for a dream but improbable test debut. In fact, Jamieson hasn’t stepped foot in Victoria outside of Melbourne airport.
‘‘Most kids growing up would say that a Boxing Day test against the Aussies would be pretty special,’’ Jamieson said.
Despite the injury to Ferguson, Jamieson said Monday’s call from Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen was totally unexpected.
At the time, the 2.03m tall quick was lacing up his pads for a net, in preparation for Auckland’s Twenty20 Super Smash game against Canterbury today, when he heard his phone going.
When he got off the phone to Larsen, he called his father before heading into the nets.
‘‘He’s been a big part of my cricket growing up so I made sure I called him first and he was pretty stoked so it was cool to share that moment with him,’’ Jamieson said.
Last week, Jamieson was watching the day-night test in Perth on TV as a fan; by Boxing Day he could be hurling down bouncers at David Warner and Steve Smith on the biggest stage of all.
How a 24-year-old would prepare for potentially making his test debut in the most intimidating cauldron in world cricket would be a tough question to answer but Jamieson is prepared for the festive season he will now miss.
‘‘For the first time ever I had my Christmas shopping done before December so it’s probably the first and last time that will happen,’’ he said.
Jamieson will be up against the, likely, fit again Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Matt Henry to gain a spot in the playing XI and is happy to use his time as a learning opportunity if he doesn’t take the field.
With a self-described action as ‘‘a bit tall and gangly’’, Jamieson makes no secret of bounce being his key weapon.
Short bowling was a big part of the first test and Jamieson has no qualms about playing the enforcer role if needed.
‘‘It’s just about doing your role for the team and whatever that looks like for me I’m happy to do that. So whether that’s bowling full, or it’s bowling wide or it’s whatever it is I’m happy to do it.