Jimmy Neesham Sends An Emotional Message After His Coach’s Death

ICC World Cup 2019 is done and dusted where although England won the World Cup, New Zealand were no less. The game ended in a tie and the Super Over also ended on a tie. England won the title on the back of a superior number of boundaries. New Zealand’s all-rounder Jimmy Neesham played beautifully in the final. However, with the loss, there was another bad news waiting for him. His childhood coach, former Auckland Grammar School teacher David James Gordon breathed his last right after Neesham hit a maximum in the Super Over in a nail-biting World Cup final against England at Lord’s.

Gordon’s daughter Leonie told that the moment Neesham smashed a six on the second ball in the Super Over on Monday morning (New Zealand time), while chasing the score of 15, her father breathed his last.

“One of the nurses came in for the final over, the super over, and she said his breathing is changing,” Leonie was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz. “You know, I think Jimmy Neesham had just hit that six and he took his last breath. He has a quirky sense of humour and he was a real character and he would have loved the fact that he did that,” she further added.

“Dave Gordon, my High School teacher, coach and friend. Your love of this game was infectious, especially for those of us lucky enough to play under you. How appropriate you held on until just after such a match. Hope you were proud. Thanks for everything. RIP,” Neesham took to Twitter and shared on Thursday, paying a tribute to his coach.

Leonie was heartened to see the tweet from Neesham and replied, “It was lovely, you know, he’s kept in touch with Jimmy and he is friends with Jimmy’s father. He always had a soft spot for Jimmy Neesham, he was very proud of him. He would definitely be following his career.”