Despite not being on the list of centrally contracted players, Neesham and Trent Boult were both included in the New Zealand team.
Jimmy Neesham, who played a major role in the dramatic final of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, has been named to New Zealand’s 15-man team for this year’s event in India.
In the Super Over that was necessary to determine the winner of the most recent World Cup final between England and New Zealand at Lord’s, Neesham was selected to bat for New Zealand. After the Super Over, the teams were still tied, and England won the world championship on a countback of goals.
Despite not being on the list of centrally contracted players, Neesham and fast bowler Trent Boult, who also participated in that match, were both named to the New Zealand team on Monday.
Although he is still healing from the devastating knee injury he suffered during the Indian Premier League in April, Kane Williamson will serve as the team’s captain for New Zealand. When Williamson will be able to play is yet unknown.
The team was revealed in a very original way on social media, with the children and partners of the individual players releasing their names along with their New Zealand cap number and relationship to the player. Fans of the touching video praised it as “incredible” and “most creative” on social media, where it quickly gained a large following.
At their third World Cups, Boult, Matt Henry, and vice-captain Tom Latham will all be participating.
“It’s always a very exciting time,” said head coach Gary Stead. “From Kane and Tim heading to their fourth tournament to the guys selected for the first time.” “There have been some tough calls and there will be some disappointed players.
“The key for us was finding the right balance for the squad and making sure we had our bases covered for what is going to be a very competitive tournament.”
New Zealand will play Pakistan in a warm-up match at Hyderabad on Sept. 29 ahead of the tournament start on Oct. 5.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.
