Kyle Jamieson: New Zealand's Towering Fast-Bowling Talent
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Early Life and Background
Kyle Alex Jamieson was born on December 30, 1994, in Auckland, New Zealand. Standing at an incredible 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m), he is the tallest player to represent the New Zealand national cricket team. Before focusing on cricket, Jamieson showed promise in basketball, playing as a point guard at the New Zealand Breakers academy. Initially starting his cricketing journey as a batting all-rounder, he later transitioned to fast-medium bowling under the mentorship of Dayle Hadlee.
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Rise in International Cricket
Jamieson made his international debut in February 2020, playing an ODI against India. He quickly followed this with a Test debut in the same series, making a strong impression by taking 5 wickets in his first Test innings. His highlight moment came in 2021, when he played a crucial role in New Zealand’s victory over India in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship Final, where he was awarded Player of the Match.
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Career Statistics (as of March 2025)
Tests: 19 matches, 80 wickets @ 19.73 average, 5 five-wicket hauls
ODIs: 17 matches, 17 wickets @ 39.47 average
T20Is: 15 matches, 13 wickets @ 36.46 average
First-Class: 51 matches, 181 wickets @ 22.20 average
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Injury Setbacks and Resilience
Jamieson has faced several injury setbacks, including a stress fracture in his back that forced him out of international cricket for an extended period. His return to the game showcased not only his talent but his mental toughness and resilience. After months of rehabilitation, he made a successful comeback, contributing again to New Zealand’s pace attack.
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Domestic and Franchise Cricket
In domestic cricket, Jamieson has represented Canterbury and Auckland. He has also featured in several T20 franchise leagues:
IPL: Played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
PSL: Signed by Quetta Gladiators
His height, bounce, and accuracy make him a desirable fast bowler in all formats.