Former Auckland Grammar School coach David James Gordon breathed his last moments during Super Over of the recently concluded World Cup when his student James Neesham was batting in the super over. Gordon has also coaches Kiwi pacer Lockie Ferguson.
New Zealand and England played possibly one of the best World Cup final in the history of cricket. Both teams were tied at 241 runs at the end of their course of 50 overs which took the game to super over. England finished on 15 runs in the super over courtesy one boundary each by Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler.
Jofra Archer came to bowl the super over for England and James Neesham scored 9 runs off starting two balls. He took two doubles of the next two deliveries before settling for a single which brought the equation to 2 off 1 ball.
Martin Guptill whipped the ball in front of the deep square fielder- Jason Roy and hurried for the second run but eventually fell short. After super-over tie, England were adjudged the winner as they scored more boundaries than New Zealand in the course of 50 over.
Neesham was close to win the game for his team by hitting a six off Jofra Archer early but at the same time, his high school teacher took his last breathe as the cricketer smashed a six.
“One of the nurses came in for the final over, the super over, and she said his breathing is changing. You know, I think Jimmy Neesham had just hit that six and he took his last breath,” Gordon’s daughter Leonie Gordon was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.
Neesham paid tribute to his childhood coach on the social media.
“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,” he tweeted.
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
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) July 17, 2019
