Cult figure Jimmy Neesham joins BBL, extending New Zealand‘s exodus of white-ball talent

Neesham, 32, has signed for Hobart as an overseas replacement player, filling the void left by Faheem Ashraf, who is part of Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing Test series against England.

The Hurricanes had already signed England batter Zak Crawley to replace Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan for part of the BBL.

Another Pakistani international, Asif Ali, is also on the Hurricanes’ books after being picked up in August’s inaugural overseas player draft.

Neesham, something of a cult figure with more than 140 international appearances to his name across the three formats, declined a New Zealand central contract in September, joining the growing band of veteran Black Caps who have decided to become freelance cricketers in the respective twilights of their careers.

He joins Colin de Grandhomme (Adelaide Strikers), Trent Boult (Melbourne Stars), Colin Munro (Brisbane Heat) and Martin Guptill (Melbourne Renegades) as New Zealanders playing in this summer’s BBL.

Neesham had initially been left off NZ’s contract list but was offered the chance to be a late addition following de Grandhomme’s decision to step away. But Neesham, who played for NZ in last month’s T20 World Cup in Australia and appeared in the subsequent T20 series against India, had already agreed to overseas commitments elsewhere.

NZ coach Gary Stead said last month that the modern T20 landscape was proving NZ cricket with some headaches.

“I think New Zealand are a country that have been challenged a little with the likes of Trent and Colin de Grandhomme, and the decisions they‘ve made,“ Stead said.

“So I think in the next 12 months we will continue to be challenged with our thinking around that, and what that looks like. I don‘t necessarily have an answer for you now because I’m not sure what that will look like in 12 months’ time.”

The legendary Ricky Ponting is pulling the strings at Hobart, having re-joined the club in a broad head of strategy role mid-year.

The tournament begins next Tuesday, while the Hurricanes open their campaign against the Stars on Friday week.