New Zealand international Jimmy Neesham is looking to hit the ground running with Derbyshire, beginning with the NatWest T20 Blast opener at Lancashire on Saturday; 2.30pm start.
The all-rounder arrived on Saturday ahead of his stint as the Falcons’ overseas player for this summer’s competition and joins up with fellow Otago teammates Hamish Rutherford and Neil Broom.
After a five week break following a busy winter in New Zealand, Neesham says he’s raring to go and hopes he can play his part in a successful campaign for Derbyshire.
Neesham said: “It was good to get on the training pitch yesterday with the lads for the first time and have a bit of a hit and a bowl. I’m looking forward to getting ready for the game on Saturday.
“It’s all about that game on Saturday. We’ll do what we need to do at the end of this week to get ready for that and I look forward to taking on Lancashire with one of the Otago boys on board for them as well in the shape of Neil Wagner, so that should be interesting.
“I spoke to Neil [Broom] and Hamish [Rutherford] about the lads here and they said it was a great set-up. Graeme [Welch] being a renowned bowling coach was also definitely one of the factors that made me decide to come here.
“It’s obviously an aim to get back into the New Zealand side but I will be taking one game at a time and if I perform to my ability for Derbyshire and put in some good performances then I hope I can get that done on the side.”
Derbyshire Falcons host their opening home NatWest T20 Blast fixture vs Leicestershire Foxes on Friday 3 June. Buy your tickets in advance to secure your seat and save 20%.
Leicestershire Foxes – Friday 3 June – BUY NOW
Birmingham Bears – Friday 17 June – BUY NOW
Notts Outlaws – Friday 24 June – BUY NOW
Northants Steelbacks – Sunday 3 July – BUY NOW
Yorkshire Vikings – Sunday 10 July – BUY NOW
Lancashire Lightning – Wednesday 13 July – BUY NOW
Worcestershire Rapids – Friday 22 July – BUY NOW
