Introduction
James Neesham is a New Zealand international all-rounder, still active in limited-overs cricket and various T20 leagues. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm), he is 35 years old as of 2025 and has featured in the IPL and other premier tournaments. Known for his big-hitting lower-middle order batting and useful medium-fast bowling, he brings impact in both departments. One of the most memorable moments of his career came during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final against India, where his brilliant bowling spell helped New Zealand secure a historic win and reach the final performance that remains a defining highlight of his international journey.
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Douglas Sheahan Neesham |
| Nickname | Jimmy |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
| Date of Birth | 17 September 1990 |
| Age | 35 years |
| Place of Birth | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Status | Unmarried |
Playing Style
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm medium-fast |
| Primary Role | All-rounder (batting all-rounder) |
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Jersey Number
| Format | Jersey Number |
|---|---|
| International | 50 |
| IPL / League | 50 |
Debut Dates
| Format | Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 14 Feb 2014 | India | Wellington, New Zealand |
| ODI | 19 Jan 2013 | South Africa | Paarl, South Africa |
| T20I | 21 Dec 2012 | South Africa | Durban, South Africa |
| IPL / League | 17 April 2014 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Delhi, India |
IPL Salary by Year
| Year | Team | Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Delhi Daredevils | ₹ 1.00 crore |
| 2015 | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹ 50 lakh |
| 2020 | Kings XI Punjab | ₹ 50 lakh |
| 2021 | Mumbai Indians | ₹ 50 lakh |
| 2022 | Rajasthan Royals | ₹ 1.50 crore |
Net Worth and Assets
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | ₹ 35 crore (approx. $4.2 million USD) |
| Assets | Properties, cars, investments (specific details not publicly verified) |
| Cars | Details not publicly disclosed |
| Central Contract | Holds contracts for New Zealand Cricket as an international player |
| Brand Endorsements | Several due to his international and franchise exposure |
As of 2025, James Neesham’s estimated net worth is around ₹ 35 crore (approximately $4.2 million USD), earned through cricket contracts, league participation, and endorsements. He holds a central contract with New Zealand Cricket and has featured in multiple T20 leagues worldwide. While details about his properties and cars remain private, his income sources reflect a strong presence in both international and franchise cricket.
Teams Played For
| Team | Years Active |
|---|---|
| New Zealand (International) | 2012 |
| Auckland (Domestic NZ) | 2009-2011 |
| Otago Volts (Domestic NZ) | 2011–2012 |
| Delhi Daredevils (IPL) | 2014 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL) | 2015 |
| Kings XI Punjab (IPL) | 2020 |
| Mumbai Indians (IPL) | 2021 |
| Rajasthan Royals (IPL) | 2022 |
Education
| Qualification | Institution |
|---|---|
| School | Auckland Grammar School, New Zealand |
| University | Massey University (communication studies) |
Complete Career Stats
Batting & Bowling Summary
| Format | Matches | Runs Scored | Highest Score | Batting Average | Wickets Taken | Best Bowling | Bowling Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 12 | 709 | 137* | 33.76 | 14 | 3 / 42 | 48.21 |
| ODI | 76 | 1,495 | 97* | 28.20 | 70 | 5 / 27 | 35.52 |
| T20I | 88 | 997 | 48* | 20.77 | 52 | 5 / 22 | 23.92 |
James Neesham’s career statistics highlight his valuable all-round contributions across all formats of cricket. In Tests, he has scored 709 runs in 12 matches at an impressive average of 33.76, including a memorable unbeaten 137 on debut, while also taking 14 wickets. In ODIs, Neesham has been a reliable middle-order batter with 1,495 runs and 70 wickets, showcasing his dual strength as a finisher and a wicket-taking medium pacer. His T20I record further reflects his adaptability, with 997 runs and 52 wickets, including a best bowling performance of 5 for 22. These numbers underline his consistency and importance as a genuine all-rounder for New Zealand in all formats.
Career Highlights
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Scored 137* on Test debut vs India, highest by a no. 8 batsman |
| 2014 | Became first New Zealander to score centuries in first two Tests |
| 2019 | Integral part of NZ squad reaching Cricket World Cup final |
| 2025 | Took 5-22 in a T20I vs Pakistan |
Major Trophies & Awards
| Year | Competition / Trophy | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ICC Cricket World Cup (Finalist) | Key contributor to New Zealand’s runner-up finish |
| 2021 | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (Finalist) | Member of NZ squad that finished as runners-up |
Additional Achievements
| Achievement | Context |
|---|---|
| Big-hitting lower-order batsman | Known for “360-degree” hitting approach in white-ball cricket |
| Multi-format all-rounder | Contributes significantly with both bat and ball across formats |
| Strong domestic T20 performances | Key performer in NZ domestic cricket and various T20 leagues overseas |
Similar Article: Mitchell Santner Biography
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is James Neesham’s height?
James Neesham is 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall.
Q2. What is James Neesham’s age?
As of 2025, James Neesham is 35 years old.
Q3. What is James Neesham’s jersey number?
Internationally, his jersey number is 50. In the IPL, jersey numbers have varied according to the team.
Q4. When did James Neesham make his international and league debut?
- T20I debut: 21 Dec 2012 vs South Africa.
- ODI debut: 19 Jan 2013 vs South Africa.
- Test debut: 14 Feb 2014 vs India.
- IPL debut: 2014 for Delhi Daredevils.
Q5. What is James Neesham’s net worth?
His estimated net worth in 2025 is around ₹ 35 crore (approx. US $4.2 million).
Q6. What is James Neesham’s IPL salary for all years?
Here’s a summary:
- 2014: ₹ 1.00 crore (Delhi Daredevils)
- 2015: ₹ 50 lakh (Kolkata Knight Riders)
- 2020: ₹ 50 lakh (Kings XI Punjab)
- 2021: ₹ 50 lakh (Mumbai Indians)
- 2022: ₹ 1.50 crore (Rajasthan Royals)
Q7. Which teams has James Neesham represented?
He has played for New Zealand internationally, domestic teams such as Auckland and Otago, and IPL/franchise sides including Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals.
Q8. What is James Neesham’s educational background?
He attended Auckland Grammar School in New Zealand and pursued communication studies at Massey University.
Q9. Has James Neesham won any major awards?
While he hasn’t won an ICC trophy, he was part of New Zealand teams that achieved runner-up finishes at the 2019 Cricket World Cup and 2021 T20 World Cup.
Q10. What are James Neesham’s key stats or records?
Notably, he scored 137* on his Test debut (one of the highest for a number 8 batsman) and recorded a best T20I bowling figure of 5-22 vs Pakistan.