Bevon Jacobs was still packing his kit for Zimbabwe when he paused to consider how far – and how quickly – his cricketing life has moved. Twelve months ago the Auckland batter was chasing a first-class hundred; today he is a match or two away from a New Zealand debut, armed with experience from the IPL, ILT20 and a fresh Caribbean Premier League deal.
Key details first. New Zealand’s short tri-series in Harare starts next month and includes South Africa, Jacobs’ country of birth. The 23-year-old has been named in the T20 squad and, fitness permitting, is expected to win his cap at some point during the week. A strong showing would keep him in the conversation for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka – the next sizeable item on his to-do list.
“The IPL was an amazing experience, and I got three months there to learn new facets of my game,” Jacobs said. “And I definitely think I’ve made those learnings and improvements. Obviously, implementing into my game is going to be a longer work in progress.”
Jacobs spent the 2025 season with Mumbai Indians, sharing nets rather than match-days with the likes of Kieron Pollard, Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga. He left without a debut but not without ideas, adding: “But taking away from the technical stuff, there’s also a lot of mental learnings that I’ve got from it as well, which I know will change me just for the time being. So, hopefully, I can bring what I’ve learnt from there into the series.”
The psychological gains may prove as valuable as the technical. A powerful six-footer with reach to spare, Jacobs has long been seen domestically as a finisher – the player who can manipulate length and clear a boundary at short notice. His ILT20 bow in Dubai offered a glimpse: a hard-length ball from the six-foot-eight Blessing Muzarabani was met with a simple stand-tall punch over extra cover. Selectors like difference-makers; that shot ticked the box.
From Pretoria to Auckland – and back again, sort of
Jacobs left South Africa aged three when his family emigrated to New Zealand. He progressed through the Auckland age-group system, tried his luck at Canterbury, then returned north last season, bringing with him a maiden Plunket Shield hundred. A debut against South Africa would complete a neat circle.
“I still like to see myself as a Kiwi,” Jacobs said. “I’ve been here for a very long time. But, yeah, I guess that part of it would be pretty cool if that was to be my debut against South Africa. I’m sure a lot of family who are over in South Africa and just my family that are here would find that pretty cool.”
Motivation now turns to the next global tournament. “I mean, that (playing the T20 World Cup) is a massive goal for me. It would be a dream come true to go to that. And I guess for me, it’s just about controlling what I can control. And if that opportunity comes again, that would be pretty special to me.”
Role clarity – and a possible shift
Domestically, Jacobs has floated between middle-order anchor and lower-order accelerator. New Zealand coaches, mindful of his long levers, hint at using him primarily in the last five overs – an area where the Black Caps have searched for consistency since the retirement of Colin de Grandhomme.
Former New Zealand batter Grant Elliott believes the plan is sound. “He’s tall, has a strong base and doesn’t get stuck against the short ball. That alone makes bowlers think twice at the death,” Elliott told RadioSport. “But they’ll want him facing no more than 25 balls most innings – that’s the sweet spot.”
There is, however, a weakness against high-quality wrist-spin that opponents will target. Jacobs managed only 94 runs in six ILT20 innings against spin, striking at under 110. Auckland coach Doug Watson says work is under way. “He has all the tools; it’s about sequencing shots and trusting the sweep when the boundary is long straight.”
Perspective and next steps
For now the priority is Zimbabwe, likely heat and slow surfaces included. The New Zealand management want to see composure as much as power. If Jacobs passes that test, a winter of franchise offers awaits – and the Black Caps will have another option in a position historically lean on depth.
Jacobs knows the ladder is long, yet the first rung is in sight. A tri-series debut, a chance to impress the selectors, then perhaps a recall to Mumbai or elsewhere for IPL 2026. Balanced ambition, not brash prediction, underscores his outlook – fitting for a player who has already learned that patience on the bench can be as useful as fireworks in the middle.
