Blackcaps head coach Gary Stead has praised Kyle Jamieson for his decision to skip the Indian Premier League and hopes the towering seamer will be back to his best for the tour of England.
While captain Kane Williamson and a raft of others are playing the lucrative T20 tournament, Jamieson declined to put his name on the IPL auction list to rest and work on his game at home.
As the second-most expensive player in the 2021 auction, with Royal Challengers Bangalore signing him for about NZ$2 million, the decision cannot have been an easy one for the towering fast bowler.
"I think it's a very brave move for someone at Kyle's age to make, but he's obviously had some experiences there and worked out what he needs as a cricketer," said Stead.
"He wants to play all formats for New Zealand if he can, but test cricket being the pinnacle for him is really important for him. I congratulate him for looking after what he thinks he needs to do to play test cricket, first and foremost."
World test champions New Zealand have included Jamieson and Williamson in an extended squad for the three-test tour of England, starting at Lord's on June 2.
The 2.08m (6ft 8in) Jamieson burst onto the international scene two years ago and quickly cemented himself in the Blackcaps' strong pace attack, but struggled to impose himself in the drawn home series against South Africa, finishing with six wickets at an average of 33.
"I think he'll be the first to say he just didn't feel quite right last year and maybe through a workload issue as well," said Stead. "I guess we're not going to know until we've seen him.
"He's had a bit of a break. He's looking fit and strong at the moment, so I'm excited to see what he'll bring."
Reuters
