Neesham replaces Anderson in Guyana CPL team

Jimmy Neesham, the New Zealand allrounder, has been added to the Guyana Amazon Warriors side as one of their three overseas players a week before the start of the Caribbean Premier League. Neesham replaced fellow New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson, who has been asked by his country's board to withdraw from the tournament due to concerns over his fitness.

"We could not have asked for a better replacement for Corey," Roger Harper, the Guyana Amazon Warriors coach, said. "Jimmy is a great fit for the Amazon Warriors, and we look forward to seeing the excellent form he displayed in the recent Test series continuing in the CPL."

Neesham, who hit a hundred and two half-centuries in the recently-concluded three-Test series, has two fifties in his 36-match T20 career, but it is his strike rate of 149.85 and his medium-pace bowling that makes him a like-for-like replacement for Anderson. He has also been entrusted with the responsibility of opening the innings during the current two-match T20 series between West Indies and New Zealand. Neesham featured in the IPL this season too, for Delhi Daredevils.

"I'm very excited to be extending my time in the Caribbean and joining up with the Guyana Amazon Warriors," Neesham said. "I loved watching last year's tournament, and this time I can't wait to get involved on the pitch. I've really enjoyed my time in the Caribbean and can't wait to experience the famous CPL atmosphere when the tournament begins next week."