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Xtra Time Web Desk: BlackCaps pacer Kyle Jamieson has been keeping himself busy reading books, playing guitar, sharing tips and tricks with some of his team-mates during quarantine in India, Maldives and now in England. The 26 year old revealed he has drawn inspiration from reading  Atomic Habits, which bills itself as “an easy and proven way to build good habits and break bad ones,” and The Courage to be Disliked, promoted as “the Japanese phenomenon that shows you how to change your life and achieve real happiness”.

Jamieson will be embarking on his first tour to England with the BlackCaps and it will be a huge occasion for him, first to play a test match at Lords and next to be part of ICC WTC Final against India at the Ageas Bowl.  

Since making his test debut for the BlackCaps against India in 2020, Jamieson took 27 wickets at an average of 12.25 and a strike rate of 31.8 in four tests wins over the West Indies and Pakistan in December and January, which secured the Black Caps their place in the WTC decider.

Jamieson is looking forward to getting the red Dukes ball in his hands – thought he’s wary of getting carried away with the brand known for its extra swing as he prepares for his first matches against England.

“You don't want to start trying to move the ball two sets of stumps and then get caught on the bounce,” he said.

“We’ve found favourable conditions in New Zealand at times, albeit not with the Dukes ball, and we're mindful of the fact that if you start searching too much, you can get hurt a little bit.

“I think that's something that ... we've hopefully taken care of, but I guess we'll address that when the time comes, and the next 10 days or so, leading into that first test, is vital for us.

There is a chance Jamieson could be handed the new ball at Lords, with Trent Boult in New Zealand at present and not set to be available until the second test at Edgbaston, starting on June 10, at the earliest.

“Obviously you've got two of New Zealand's greats with Tim and Trent there, and rightly so they take the new ball, and I'm the third or fourth in line, but if the opportunity came to take the new ball, I'd certainly try and grab it with both hands,” signed off Jamieson.