Bevon Jacobs Eager to Shine in Home T20I Against India
Bevon Jacobs Looks Forward to Home Ground Debut
Auckland [New Zealand], October 29: As New Zealand prepares for the fourth T20I against India, batter Bevon Jacobs is excited about the possibility of batting on his home turf for the first time. He reminisced about being a fan during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup matches held at this venue.
With the series currently at 3-0 in favor of India, New Zealand is determined to restore their pride in the upcoming match. The first two T20Is were tightly contested, but the Kiwis faced a significant defeat in the third match, where Abhishek Sharma delivered a stunning performance, scoring 113 runs off just 38 balls in a chase of 199.
Jacobs has emerged as a bright spot for New Zealand in this series, ranking as their second-highest run-scorer with 128 runs across three innings, averaging 64.00 and boasting a strike rate of 150.58, including a half-century with a top score of 58.
Reflecting on his return to Eden Park, where he previously played against South Africa without getting a chance to bat, Bevon shared, “It’s great to be back home. Playing in front of a packed crowd at Eden Park is something special. I’ve been part of a few matches here but haven’t batted yet, so if I get the chance, it will be an incredible experience.”
In his T20I career spanning 14 matches, Jacobs has accumulated 311 runs at an average of 34.55 and a strike rate of 146.00, including two fifties and a personal best of 62*. This year, he has scored 247 runs in 10 matches, averaging 35.28 with a strike rate of 154.37.
Recalling his memories from the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Bevon described it as a “full circle moment.” He said, “The 2015 World Cup was significant for me. I was in the stands watching, and that was the last time I experienced a sold-out Eden Park. Now, being able to play here is a dream come true.”
During the 2015 World Cup, Eden Park hosted two memorable matches for New Zealand. The first was a group stage match against Australia, where Trent Boult's five-wicket haul helped dismiss Australia for 151. Later, in a thrilling semifinal, Brendon McCullum's explosive 59 runs and Grant Elliott's remarkable 84* led the Kiwis to victory over South Africa, sending them to the finals.
On his journey as an international cricketer, Bevon remarked, “It feels good to contribute to the team and put runs on the board. While it’s unfortunate we haven’t secured a win yet, my confidence is growing. I enjoy being part of this team; they are a fantastic group, and their support makes a difference every time we step onto the field.”