James Neesham is a New Zealand professional cricketer. He played for Wellington in domestic cricket and the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.
He is an all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm medium-fast. James Neesham is known for his explosive batting ability.
He played in the 2019 Cricket World Cup for New Zealand.
Let’s learn about James Neesham’s net worth, earnings, salary, career overview, stats, wife, and more.
About James Neesham
James Douglas Sheahan Neesham was born on 17 September 1990 in Auckland, New Zealand.
Neesham began his first-class career with Auckland but moved to Otago Volts after 2 seasons. He played for Wellington from the 2018/19 season to the 2021/22 season.
He has played 68 first-class matches, scoring 3,373 runs. Jimmy also took 124 wickets.
International Career
James Neesham made his T20I debut for New Zealand on 21 December 2012, with a match against South Africa.
He also made his ODI debut against South Africa on 19 January 2013.
Neesham made his Test debut against India on 14 February 2014. He scored an unbeaten 137 runs in his debut Test. It was also the highest score on debut by a Test number 8 batsman.
Jimmy Neesham has been a pivotal batsman for the Black Caps. As of writing, he has played 71 ODI games, scoring 1,409 runs, averaging 28.18.
He hit 6 half-centuries in ODI. His highest score in ODI is 97 not out.
In April 2019, Neesham was named in New Zealand’s squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. He also played the 2021 and 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for New Zealand.
T20 Franchise League
James Neesham plays T20 franchise league cricket all across the globe. He played for the Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, and Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.
He also played for the Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League.
James Neesham’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, James Neesham’s net worth is estimated to be $4 million (₹32 crores). The Kiwi all-rounder’s prime source of earnings is his cricket career.
Salary and Career Earnings
James Neesham earns an estimated $350,000 annual salary for representing the New Zealand National team.
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Neesham earns a lot from brand promotions and sponsorship deals alongside his cricket contract.
His total career earnings from the Indian Premier League are INR 4 crore.
IPL Salary and Contract
James Neesham made his IPL debut for the Delhi Daredevils in 2014. DD paid him INR 1 crore for the 2014 IPL season.
For the 2022 IPL season, he earned INR 1.50 crore playing for the Rajasthan Royals.
The following table refers to James Neesham’s IPL earnings.
| Year | Team | Salary |
| 2022 | Rajasthan Royals | ₹ 1.50 crore |
| 2021 | Mumbai Indians | ₹ 50 lacs |
| 2020 | Kings XI Punjab | ₹ 50 lacs |
| 2015 | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹ 50 lacs |
| 2014 | Delhi Daredevils | ₹ 1 crore |
Personal Details
| Full Name | James Douglas Sheahan Neesham |
| Nickname | Jimmy Neesham |
| Born | 17 September 1990 |
| Age | 33 |
| Height | 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) |
| Weight | 216 lb (98 kg) |
| Hometown | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Role | Batting all-rounder |
| Batting | Left-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm medium-fast |
| ODI and T20I Shirt No. | 50 |
| Net Worth | $4 million |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Alex MacLeod-Smith |
| @jimmyneesham |
Wife
Jimmy Neesham married his long-time girlfriend, Alex MacLeod-Smith. Alex is a former Magic netballer.
Latest ODI Batting Ranking
According to ICC, his current ODI batting ranking is 118th.
Latest T20I Batting Ranking
Neesham’s current T20I batting ranking is 98th.
Career Stats
| Competition | Test | ODI | T20I |
| Matches | 12 | 71 | 58 |
| Runs Scored | 709 | 1,409 | 688 |
| Batting Avg | 33.76 | 28.18 | 23.72 |
| 100s/50s | 2/4 | 0/6 | 0/0 |
| Top Score | 137* | 97* | 48* |
| Wickets | 14 | 69 | 25 |
| Bowling Avg | 48.21 | 33.62 | 29.76 |
| 5-wk haul in Innings | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 10-wk haul in Match | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Best Bowling | 3/42 | 5/27 | 3/16 |
| Catches | 12 | 26 | 20 |
FAQs
Who is James Neesham?
James Neesham, also known as Jimmy Neesham, is a New Zealand cricketer born in Auckland on September 17, 1990. He’s an all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm medium-fast. He plays for New Zealand in all game formats and is known for his aggressive batting and useful bowling.
What are James Neesham’s major career achievements?
Neesham was part of the New Zealand team that finished runners-up in the 2019 Cricket World Cup. He scored a century on his Test debut against India, making 137 not out, the highest score by a number 8 batsman on debut. He also became among the few players scoring centuries in his first two Test matches.
What teams has James Neesham played for?
Besides New Zealand, Neesham has played for various domestic and T20 league teams. These include Auckland, Otago, Wellington, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, and several others in different T20 leagues around the world.
What’s James Neesham’s playing style?
Neesham is known for his aggressive batting, particularly in limited-overs cricket. He’s a powerful striker of the ball and can score quickly. As a bowler, he’s a useful medium-pacer who can pick up crucial wickets. He’s also known for his fielding skills and ability to contribute in all aspects of the game.
Has James Neesham ever considered retiring?
Yes, Neesham revealed that he had considered retiring from international cricket about 18 months before the 2019 World Cup due to poor form and injury problems. However, he was advised to take a break instead, which led to his comeback and impressive performances in the World Cup.
What was James Neesham’s role in the 2019 Cricket World Cup final?
Neesham played a crucial role in the final against England. He took three wickets and effected the run-out on the final ball that tied the match. In the Super Over, he hit a six off Jofra Archer and scored 13 off 5 balls, though New Zealand ultimately lost on boundary count.
What are James Neesham’s notable records?
In January 2019, Neesham scored 34 runs in one over against Sri Lanka in an ODI match, including five sixes. This was the most runs scored in one over by a New Zealand batsman in an ODI match. He’s also among the few players who scored centuries in his first two Test matches.
What’s James Neesham’s experience in the IPL?
Neesham made his IPL debut in 2014 for Delhi Daredevils. He’s since played for several teams, including Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, and Rajasthan Royals. While he hasn’t had extended runs in the tournament, teams have picked him up for his all-round abilities.
What’s an interesting fact about James Neesham?
Neesham is known for his witty presence on social media, particularly Twitter. He often engages with fans and makes humorous comments about cricket and life, making him popular beyond his on-field performances.
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