Cricket: Neesham makes own history on debut

Left-hander spends 123 overs waiting to bat but makes the most of his chance with an unbeaten 137, the highest score by a No 8 batsman in his first test.

Jimmy Neesham accepts he may end up as a quiz question, despite becoming the 10th New Zealander to score a century on test debut.

His contribution might be summed up as: Who was the batsman at the other end when Brendon McCullum made his triple century?

"I might finally get one of those quiz questions right," Neesham said. "To witness history on debut is something that will live with me forever."

The 23-year-old left-hander made his own history, posting 137 not out, test cricket's highest score by a No 8 batsman on debut. He overtook Pakistan's Azhar Mahmood (128 not out v South Africa in 1997) and joined New Zealanders Scott Styris (v West Indies, 2002) and Bruce Taylor (v India, 1965) as debutant century-makers in that batting position.

The 3357 witnesses at the ground know Neesham's performance held weight, especially considering he wasn't part of the squad for the first test and wouldn't have played had Doug Bracewell not misbehaved or the pitch ruled out the benefits to using leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.

Neesham deserved his accolades, having been padded up for 123 overs while McCullum and BJ Watling embarked on their world record partnership of 352 for the sixth wicket as part of New Zealand's highest test total of 680 for eight.

"When I got out there with Baz I said I'd spent longer waiting in pads than batting in them this season."

He impressed from arrival, launching into strokes all around the wicket building the lead from 200 to the eventual 434. Rumours of him being a bowling all-rounder have been greatly exaggerated.

"It was a bit surreal, especially having Baz at the other end chasing a momentous milestone, but that took the focus off me. The main objective was getting him to 300 then suddenly I wasn't far away from a century myself. "A hundred on test debut is something I've thought of more than any other thing in life to this point."

Neesham said the crowd played a pivotal role and he knew his place in proceedings.

"Baz played and missed at one, then blocked the next ball which resulted in the biggest applause of the morning [until the 300]. To be in a situation where the focus is not all on you eased the pressure.

"We didn't talk about who'd get there first too much but I'm pleased I ended up as the entree to Baz's main course. The crowd had a practice session of standing up and clapping."

Neesham says he learned from New Zealand's first innings of 192.

"You figure out what you're made of in that situation. To get through to 33 was okay but to get out with a lack of conviction was disappointing. Still, it reaffirmed I was good enough to get runs at that level."

McCullum said: "For Neesh in his first test - and with the match evenly poised - to come out and play his natural, aggressive game takes courage."

His performance was also noted by Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. "It's good to have players like Neesham ... who can bowl a bit and bat at the same time."