James finds his niche at number six
Set at number six in the batting order, James Neesham finally feels like he belongs in international cricket.
The 26-year-old delivered a composed innings in New Zealand’s series levelling six-run victory over South Africa on Wednesday at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.
Curbing his natural instincts to clear the rope, Neesham hit 71 not out from 57 balls, featuring six fours. He teamed up for an unbeaten 123-run fifth wicket stand with centurion Ross Taylor as New Zealand got through to 289-4.
It was a mature batting display from Neesham, who was content to work the ball around the vast Hagley ground and pick up ones and twos.
After moving around the Black Caps’ ODI order in recent years, Neesham was comfortable in the No 6 position and it’s where he wants to stay.
Over the past three months, Neesham has started to realise his ODI batting potential. He is averaging 41 in his last 10 innings, which includes knocks of 74 and 48 against Australia and his unbeaten 71 at Hagley.
‘‘When you come in and I bounced around the order a bit, eight, seven and a couple of games opening, it’s nice to find my niche in the middle order.
‘‘Hopefully, No 6 can be my position for a few years to come.’’
Neesham came out to bat with his team in a spot of bother at 166-4 in the 33rd over. Someone desperately needed to stick around with Taylor to the later stages of the innings.
He said it ‘‘wasn’t vintage ball striking’’, but was happy to play a key supporting role.
‘‘We talked about making contributions when it isn’t the best day you’ve ever had and I suppose that was it for me [on Wednesday]. It wasn’t vintage, but it got the job done.’’
After not being required to bowl in the opening ODI in Hamilton on Sunday, Neesham got through three overs as the first change bowler in Christchurch.
He impressed in his first two overs, going for eight runs, but was hit for fours by Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy in his third and final over.
With the inclusion of legspinner Ish Sodhi, and Colin de Grandhomme and part-timer Kane Williamson all getting through overs, Neesham doesn’t need to bowl his 10.
Improving his bowling at international level is integral, if he is to gain a test recall and warrant an ODI spot, depending on the make-up of New Zealand’s playing 11.
Neesham would have loved to bowl at Seddon Park in the series opener on a pitch, which suited him, but he wasn’t needed.
‘‘It’s a work in progress at all times the bowling. There were some promising signs [on Wednesday]. Certainly, it’s something I work on every day at training and there’s certainly been some strides made.’'
Neesham was able to sympathise with struggling Black Caps’ opener Tom Latham, who fell for his fifth straight single digit ODI score in Christchurch.
Latham has scored just 35 runs from his past six innings since a career-best 137 against Bangladesh on Boxing Day.
Having briefly been trialled unsuccessfully as an opener in the lead-up to the 2015 World Cup, Neesham knew how difficult it can sometimes be.
‘‘I think everyone goes through their high and lows, especially with the bat at the top of the order. I think we know from the test game what a quality player Tom is. I’m sure he’ll be given every opportunity to show that.’’
Latham’s wicketkeeping was tidy in the second ODI, stumping Duminy and taking a smart catch to remove dangerous South African skipper AB de Villiers.
Neesham disagreed that keeping wicket was affecting Latham’s batting.
‘‘It’s a new role for him in international cricket. It’s a challenging role. It’s just a case of getting to 10 and getting that start and then it will be away from there.’’
New Zealand have named an unchanged squad for tomorrow’s third ODI in Wellington.
Martin Guptill remains out with a hamstring injury, but is set to return for the fourth ODI in Hamilton on Wednesday.