Blackcaps bowler Kyle Jamieson is thrilled to be included in New Zealand’s 14-man Test squad for the upcoming series against England.
Having last played Test cricket in June 2022, Jamieson has been made to wait after a stress reaction in his back ruled him out for an extended period.
Having returned domestically with Auckland, Jamieson says he’s happy to be “back in the fold” as he feels fully recovered from the injury.
“It’s nice to be included in the squad and back in the fold for the first time in a while,” Jamieson told SENZ Breakfast.
“My body is feeling good, I’m excited to be back with the group … I’ve been bowling plenty of overs in practice and in training, I just need to get used to the rhythm of playing again.
“I’ve been bowling to empty nets for a long time so to see a few batters in the middle and see the ball get hit, it’s a bit of a change.”
Having last won a Test series in 2021, Jamieson was asked whether he and his Blackcaps teammates still had full faith in Gary Stead and his coaching staff.
“Yeah, of course,” Jamieson replied.
“That’s not something we’ve really thought about because there’s so much confidence from the playing group in our coaching staff.
“I’m not sure if it (pressure) is there or not, we sort of keep a pretty tight-knit circle.
“If there is that stuff it’s on the outside, I have complete faith in our group and what we can do.”
As Stead expects the towering seamer to just play just one Test as his recovery is managed, Jamieson says that decision could come down to where conditions best suit in the two-match series.
“It is a little bit different, the first Test will be under the lights with the pink ball,” Jamieson said.
“Wellington with the red ball, it tends to be more seamer-friendly than the Mount.
“But at the Mount (Maunganui) with the pink ball under lights, it could be pretty spicy as well.
“We’ll see how it unfolds and how it goes up there.”
The first Test between New Zealand and England begins on February 16 at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval.