Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar lauded New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham for his batting exploits in the first semi-final of the ongoing ICC World T20 2021 on Wednesday. One of the greatest batters in the history of the sport, former Team India skipper Gavaskar was all praise for Neesham after the Kiwi batter played a crucial cameo in New Zealand’s thrilling five-wicket win over Eoin Morgan-led England at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. 

Neesham, who Gavaskar believes has been a player who would play one special knock in about eight or nine innings for the Black Caps, finally delivered the goods for Kane Williamson & Co. in the high-scoring encounter between the 2019 World Cup finalists at Abu Dhabi. Talking about the role Neesham played in New Zealand’s memorable win over England, Gavaskar also credited Williamson for showing faith in him by giving the Kiwi seamer the 20th over. 

“Jimmy Neesham has been a player who would play one special innings in about eight or nine and he played that today. What an innings, scoring at a strike rate of over 240. He was hitting the ball well. He had a bit of luck with that Jonny Bairstow catch which went over the boundary and it became a six,” Gavaskar told India Today. 

England’s Jonny Bairstow had a ‘Trent Boult moment’ of his own in the semi-final meeting between the two sides. New Zealand’s fortunes took a U-turn after Boult’s heroics failed to save a boundary in the epic World Cup 2019 final between Williamson-led side and England. Neesham ended up scoring 27 off 11 balls as New Zealand upstaged England to enter their maiden final of the T20 World Cup. 

But clearly, Neesham has got the ability. He is a big hitter, he can bowl usefuly and Kane Williamson showed faith in him by giving him the 20th over of the England innings so yes, it is good to see Jimmy Neeshan do justice to his talent,” Gavaskar added