Black Caps allrounder Jimmy Neesham has explained how the current state of professional cricket has taken the aura away from the heavyweight nations of the sport.
The 31-year-old all-rounder has played for over a dozen different teams across four continents in his career, meaning his path has often crossed withmany of the world's top players as both opponents and teammates.
Speaking to Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking following the Black Caps' win over England in the T20 World Cup semifinal, Neesham said when it comes to the major international tournaments, there is a familiarity there nowadays.
"One of the great things about playing cricket around the world for a lot of different teams is that you play with a lot of these guys," he explained. "There's no sense of aura coming up against an Australia or an England or an India anymore. They're just another bunch of 11 cricketers and I think they lose that lustre when you share a changing room with them."
Black Caps allrounder Jimmy Neesham. Photo / Photosport
Neesham played a vital role in getting the Black Caps home against England on Thursday morning, making his way to the crease with the team needing 60 runs from less than five overs. Alongside man of the match Daryl Mitchell, who ended not out on 72, Neesham opened up on the English attack, launching a quickfire 27, setting the platform for Mitchell and Mitchell Santner to steer the side home with six balls to spare.
The win sees the Black Caps book their spot in the final against either Australia or Pakistan, who will play tomorrow morning.
Neesham said he had no preference over who they played in the final, knowing every team is absolutely beatable.
"We know everyone else out here is human; they know we're human as well. We'll go into the game in a few days with some confidence knowing it's going to come down to the day and who plays well, but we're certainly capable of pulling out another win."
