Black Caps seamer Kyle Jamieson insists he's not yet thinking about the looming test series against England as he makes his return to domestic cricket from a seven-month injury layoff.
Kyle Jamieson of the New Zealand Blackcaps Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The 28-year-old, who produced an impressive first two-and-a-half years in the test arena, suffered a back injury during New Zealand's away series against England in June last year.
After a long recovery process, and four games of club cricket in Christchurch, Jamieson would play for Auckland in their T20 match against Wellington at Eden Park Outer Oval on Friday.
The return came less than a month from the start of the first test against England, which is a day-night contest in Mt Maunganui.
But Jamieson said there would be no getting ahead of himself when it came to the much-anticipated series.
"I'd like to be on a plane to India (where the Black Caps are currently playing) tomorrow. I would've liked to be on the plane to Pakistan as well," he said after Auckland training on Thursday.
"It is what it is. I'm not worried about the timeframe. For me it's staying in the moment for tomorrow, then the next game after that.
"I'm not too silly to think it's going to unfold just like that all of a sudden. I've been out of the for seven months. It's just getting back out there and we'll see what happens."
Earlier this month, New Zealand coach Gary Stead indicated they wouldn't be taking risks when it came to the lofty seamer's availability for the England series.
Stead said it would be silly to push Jamieson too quickly and set him back again.
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An assessment the man himself agreed with.
"You're always trying to keep the bigger picture in mind.
"Obviously there's a lot of cricket to be played. I'm only 28 so hopefully there's a few more years of cricket left in me but, at the same time I'm eager to get back.
"That's where [the staff] are so important. They can take the emotion out of it and make decisions that are best for the bigger picture ... once we get time to sit down and have a conversation, get a few games under my belt, then we'll reassess what that timeframe looks like."
There was no doubt, though, about Jamieson's confidence levels as he made his domestic return.
Having done a "huge amount" of bowling, come off his full run-up for four weeks and played those four club matches, he was more than ready to take the next step towards being back at the top level.
A step that had been helped by former Black Caps fast bowler Shane Bond, who himself battled with back injuries throughout his impressive international career.
"We spoke about his experiences through it. Some of the feelings I had as I was returning to bowl and some of the thoughts and emotions around that.
"He was with me pretty much every day for two or three months, so there were lots of conversations we had.
"Obviously he's been through similar things but he's also got a wealth of knowledge in terms of bowling. That was the more important part. Tapping into that to grow, learn and come back as a better player."
And it was that ability to put a positive outlook on the situation that had been key to getting Jamieson through the past seven months.
"It's been a mixed bag of emotions.
"There's been a little bit of frustration ... but it's been a bit of blessing in a way. To have time off to reflect and reset, work on myself physically, mentally, emotionally.
"It's been a whole range of emotions but it's certainly nice to be back."
- RNZ