Photo Credit: ICC
After four years with the Auckland Aces, BLACKCAP Kyle Jamieson is returning to Canterbury for the 2023/24 season, while the Aces will regain the services of Finn Allen who is on the move from the Wellington Firebirds.
Tall, right-arm pace dangerman Jamieson made a big splash for the Aces during his blue period – the city where he was born and raised, and will return with a first-class hat-trick to his name.
He is one of just seven players to have taken one for Auckland in more than a century of first-class cricket history and the hat-trick formed part of a memorable Plunket Shield haul of 5/41 at Kennards Hire Community Oval.
That was one of three first-class bags he pocketed in Auckland colours at the start of that 2020/21 summer – an explosive start, after which he was named a NZ Cricket Almanack player of the season.
The 28-year-old with 16 Tests, eight ODIs and eight T20 Internationals to his name started his Domestic career with Canterbury in 2013/14, and returns to red and black kit for next season.
He is the second leading paceman to make the switch to Canterbury this winter, after the Otago Volts’ longtime stalwart Michael Rae announced that he will also be heading to Canterbury to play his cricket next season.
Jamieson said he had “really enjoyed” his stint in Auckland.
“The experiences I have been able to have and share with everyone along this journey are something I will be forever grateful for.”
Jamieson heads back south sitting on an overall career tally of 50 List A wickets, 168 first-class wickets and with that unforgettable T20 career best of 6/7 that he took for Canterbury in the Dream11 Super Smash in 2018/19, prior to his move to Auckland.
Explosive opener Finn Allen meanwhile returns to the Auckland Aces after three seasons with the Wellington Firebirds.
The Auckland-born talent began his Domestic career in the big smoke, debuting in the T20 format as a youngster in the 2016/17 season and playing all three formats for the Aces before switching to Wellington colours in 2020/21, where his career took off.
He made the BLACKCAPS that summer in the T20i format, and his ODI debut came the following year. He also turned heads with his maiden List A one-day century – a knock of 128 for the Firebirds, and helped win the 2021 Dream11 Super Smash title with the team.
“I’m really excited to be back home and playing cricket for Auckland again,” says the 24-year-old.
“I’m looking forward to getting stuck in with the boys this season and hopefully adding some value to the culture.”
Jamieson and Allen are both among the players offered an NZC central (BLACKCAPS) contract for the forthcoming season.
Domestic men’s first round contract offers for 2023/24 will be announced in the coming weeks by the six Major Associations.
