17 Feb 2020

Jamieson in happy head space

5:56 pm on 17 February 2020

Making his mental health a priority has been key to the rise of Auckland pace bowler Kyle Jamieson on the international cricket scene.

Black Caps seamer Kyle Jamieson.

Black Caps seamer Kyle Jamieson. Photo: Photosport Ltd

The two-metre tall 25-year-old has been named in the Black Caps Test squad to play India, putting him in line to make his Test debut on Friday in the first match at the Basin Reserve.

Jamieson shone during New Zealand's recent one-day series win over India and was called up for, but didn't play in, the final two Tests of the 3-0 series drubbing in Australia after an injury to Aces teammate Lockie Ferguson.

His elevation to the Black Caps set-up comes after he decided to move home to Auckland after several years playing in Canterbury.

Jamieson said he realised he had reached a point where things needed to change.

"I was just at a place with my cricket where I wasn't enjoying it and wasn't really like the person I was on the field.

"It was just a shift I needed to make and I thought that most importantly I needed to be happy and enjoy my cricket.

"It's certainly paid off for me and I'm very happy at the moment."

Becoming injury free has also helped Jamieson a lot.

But he said other factors certainly played a big part, included his fiery and aggressive on-field manner.

"[That] just sort of came out in ways that I didn't really like. I do it and then post-game I'd be like 'well, what am I doing that for'.

"There was a bit of negativity surrounding myself in that environment that was coming out in my behaviour on the field.

"I had to look at that and say right, I want to be happy off the field and getting better every day and be comfortable with myself."

To achieve that, Jamieson hasn't been afraid to seek help.

He said professionals in that area, including NZ Cricket mental skills expert Pete Sanford, had been pivotal.

"I'm always in contact with different people and that mental space is such an important part of life, not just as a cricketer.

"That's something I'm always tapping into, just to keep things in check."

Jamieson and the rest of the Black Caps squad begin their Test series with India in Wellington on Friday.

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