James Nelson

James Nelson is one of New Zealand Cricket’s brightest young talents. Hailing from Auckland, James is a gifted Right-handed top order Batsman with a patience and maturity beyond his years. He is also a capable Right-arm Off Spinner, that whilst not a frontliner, has been very effective for Parnell CC in the Auckland Premier Cricket competition.

A schoolboy star, educated at Kings College in Auckland, he was a standout for the school and was selected for the Auckland U19 side for the first time in summer 2022-23 as a 17-year old off the back of his solid school and club performances. Whilst his first time at the National Championships wasn’t as successful as he would like, roll forward 12 months and the story couldn’t be any more of a stark contrast.

At the 2023-24 National Championships, James’ form as simply sublime. After single figures in game 1, he proceeded to score 4 hundreds in the next 5 games including a match winning 110 (119) to see the junior Aces take the honours in the final. Throughout the tournament he also plundered 140 (125) against Central Districts, 100 (106) against Otago and 110 (111) against Northern Districts to finish with 470 runs @ 78.33 to finish as the tournaments leading run-scorer and forcing his way in to the New Zealand U19 side to contest the ICC Under 19 World Cup in South Africa.

Robbed of regular game time at the World Cup through food poisoning, James was limited to just the 2 appearances in the Super Sixes, NZ’s final 2 games as they bowed out of the tournament with just one win.

Now back in New Zealand, James is back in action for Parnell CC under watchful eye of former Aces coach, Ian West, James seeks his first season abroad in the UK and is fortunate enough to hold a British Passport.