Jimmy Neesham has joined the Big Bash League franchise Hobart Hurricanes as a overseas replacement player for the 12th season This will be Neesham's first appearance in the BBL.

New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham will play in the Big Bash League for the first time after joining the Hobart Hurricanes in Season 12.

Neesham will join the Hurricanes roster as an overseas substitute, the franchise announced on Tuesday. The New Zealand international said: “I'm really excited to be at the Big Bash for the first time this year.

The hard-hitting Kiwi dasher turned down a pivotal New Zealand Cricket deal in September to meet his commitments in the global domestic leagues. Neesham will join renowned overseas T20 talent Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Zak Crawley in the Hurricanes.

Aside from the above players, the Kiwi will also be teaming up with some exceptional Aussie stars such as Tim David, Paddy Dooley, Nathan Ellis, Caleb Jewell, Ben Mcdermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Joel Paris, Wil Parker, D'Arcy Short and Billy Stanlake, Chris Tremain, Matthew Wade and Mac Wright at the Tasmania-based franchise.

“I am very excited to be attending the Big Bash for the first time this year. I've heard great things about the Hurricanes setup and this year's list looks incredibly strong. So it's a really great opportunity for me to have even a small part in what I hope will be a successful tournament for the franchise. Jimmy Neesham was quoted as saying in an official statement from the Hobart Hurricanes.

Neesham joins overseas players Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Zak Crawley in the Hurricanes. The roster also includes Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, D'Arcy Short and Matthew Wade, among others.

Neesham has represented New Zealand in 60 T20 internationals, scoring 688 goals with a batting average of 159.62 and winning 25 wickets with an average of 30.12. Earlier in September that year, Neesham rejected New Zealand Cricket's central contract "on the basis of pre-agreed arrangements he had already made with overseas domestic leagues".

However, New Zealand Cricket stated that Neesham will still be considered for BlackCaps selection, subject to availability. Neesham was part of New Zealand's squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup, where the Blackcaps were eliminated in the semi-finals.

"I know news of my decision to reject a central treaty will be seen as voting for money rather than representing my country," Neesham said while rejecting New Zealand's central treaty.

"I had planned to accept a contract offer in July but since being dropped from the list I've made commitments to other leagues around the world. It was a difficult decision but I've chosen to honor those commitments rather than my word to break." re-sign with NZ Cricket."