Latest news with #JimmyNeesham
The Independent
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
T20 Blast Prediction: Will we see a repeat champion?
T20 Blast tips: The Vitality Blast returns on Thursday, aiming to be bigger and better than ever and, as always, we're expecting big hitting, lots of boundaries and players making a real name for themselves. This is the first time the men and women have played side by side in the competition with the Women's Finals Day at the Kia Oval on July 27 and Men's Finals Day at Edgbaston on September 13. All 18 first-class counties will host at least one women's and men's Vitality Blast double-header during the season, starting this weekend. The men's competition is entering its 22nd year, and each team plays 14 group-stage matches against the counties in their regional section, with the draw split into north and south. The top four teams in each group progress to the quarter-finals, with those winners then qualifying for Finals Day in September. Gloucestershire, who are the reigning champions, have set their intent for the season with the signing of D'Arcy Short, who is a two-time Big Bash League player of the tournament. He previously played in the competition with Durham in 2019 and Hampshire in 2021, and he will play alongside his Western Australia teammate Cameron Bancroft. Durham have themselves strengthened with the signing of New Zealander Jimmy Neesham, who will link up with his compatriot Zak Foulkes. Who will come out on top in the south? Essex will be hoping the return of Pakistan bowler Mohammad Amir can help them return to their glory days. The left-arm spinner is back for his third spell at the club, but his last in 2019 saw him take 24 T20 wickets in 21 matches as they won the County Championship and Blast Final. Another player who will be hoping he can roll back the years is James Anderson, who signed a contract with Lancashire to feature in the tournament for the first time since 2014. He took four wickets in four matches then and he will be hoping for a bigger impact this time around. Cricket betting sites have Surrey as the favourites for the tournament outright at 6/1, just ahead of Somerset at 7/1. Somerset were the runners-up last season and the winners the season before, so they definitely know what this tournament is all about, but can they reach the final for the third campaign in a row? New Zealand international Matt Henry will be key to their success after returning to the club for the season. He was previously at the club in 2023, was the leading wicket taker in the competition and claimed the Player of the Match award in the final as Somerset beat Essex to lift the trophy. Bears the standouts up north? When it comes to the northern teams, Birmingham Bears are the best placed at 15/2 to win the tournament outright. With Moeen Ali playing his swansong, plus the prospect of having Jacob Bethell and Chris Woakes in their line-up as well as Barbadian fast bowler Che Simmons, it's no surprise that the Bears are among the favourites, betting sites offering 3/1 to win their group. They last won the tournament in 2014 and were runners-up in 2017. A first placed finish in 2024 did justice to their abilities but they'll face stiff competition from Nottinghamshire, who will hope to come back strongly after finishing last in the group, while northern stalwarts Lancashire and Yorkshire can always be counted on to provide a fierce test. Gloucestershire to go back-to-back? One of the quirks of the T20 Blast is just how difficult a tournament it is to win in consecutive years. Since its inception in 2003 the no winner of the competition has won it again the following year and 2025 will see Gloucestershire attempt to end that. They finished fourth in the South Division in 2024 and were a surprising team to reach finals day. Yet, they hammered Somerset in the final with an eight-wicket win and should they get to Edgbaston again they'll have a chance. At 16/1 with betting apps confidence is low but they provided a blueprint of how to win last season. Only occasionally does winning a division lead to winning the tournament. Somerset achieved it in 2023 and reached the final again in 2024. They will get to finals day this season too barring a shockingly awful campaign. Should they win the tournament it would not be a surprise but we think the overall winner will emulate Gloucestershire. As such, Northamptonshire are our pick after impressing in 2024. They've had an indifferent start to County Championship season but tend to be stronger inthe white-ball format and at 14/1 are being favoured more than the current champions. T20 Blast prediction 3: Northants to win T20 Blast - 14/1 William Hill Please gamble responsibly When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. Betting can be addictive, and it's important to stay in control of your betting. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop. Gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self exclusion options, to help them stay in control. But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don't hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
NZ all-rounder Neesham joins Durham for T20 Blast
Durham have signed New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham for this season's T20 Blast 34-year-old left-hander is a veteran of 83 T20 internationals and 76 ODI games for the Black who also bowls right-arm seam, will play for his sixth county after previous stints with Derbyshire, Essex, Kent, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire as well as in The Hundred for Welsh Fire.A veteran of the T20 circuit, he has played in leagues in India, Pakistan, South Africa and West Indies."Jimmy's ability to influence games either with the bat or ball provides us with a proven match-winner," said Durham director of cricket Marcus North. The north east county reached the quarter-finals of the T20 Blast in 2024 for the first time in six years.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Durham sign international all-rounder for Vitality Blast
DURHAM have signed New Zealand international Jimmy Neesham for this summer's Vitality Blast campaign. A proven performer closing in on 300 T20 appearances, Neesham will provide a depth of experience with both bat and ball, having scored more than 4,000 runs and taken almost 250 wickets in the shortest format. A destructive middle-order batter with 83 international T20 appearances, the 34-year-old is approaching 1,000 T20 runs for his nation with a strike rate of above 150, hitting a best of 48 not out from just 24 deliveries against the West Indies in 2020. The New Zealander made his Test debut in 2014, scoring an unbeaten 137 against India and has gone on to make 12 Test appearances in addition to 76 ODI outings for the Black Caps. 'I am really looking forward to playing for Durham this summer,' said Neesham. 'The Vitality Blast is one my favourite competitions and I have heard good things about the Durham squad. I look forward to getting stuck in with the lads in a few weeks.' READ MORE:Neesham is well-known on the franchise circuit having had spells with Mumbai Indians, Hobart Hurricanes and Pretoria Capitals as well as striking an unbeaten 97 from 49 balls for Rangpur Riders in the BPL. A reliable bowler at the death and in the middle overs, the Auckland-born all-rounder recently took career best figures of 5-22 in New Zealand's series victory against Pakistan as he nears 50 IT20 wickets. He is no stranger to the Vitality Blast having represented Leicestershire in 2024 in addition to Essex, Derbyshire, Kent and Northamptonshire previously. He was also part of the victorious Oval Invincibles side in the 2023 edition of the Hundred. 'Jimmy is an experienced international T20 all-rounder with a proven track record of delivering performances for New Zealand and in franchise competitions around the world,' said Durham director of cricket Marcus North. 'His ability to influence games either with the bat or ball provides us with a proven match-winner.'
