In an era where flamboyance and quick scoring is the name of the game, Jamie How with his rigid style of batting and penchant for accumulating runs rather than launching an explosive onslaught, is a cricketer slightly out of the league.

How’s fetish for compiling huge scores started in 2002-03, when he finished the season with 704 runs and in the following years his appetite only seemed to grow. With consecutive innings of 163 and 158 against Northern Districts and Canterbury and a 169 against Otago in the 2003-04 season, he continued to make all the right noises but selectors resisted the temptation to include him in the national set-up. The right-hander finally had his wishes granted with an ODI appointment in 2005 and it was a debut to remember as his 58 run-knock helped New Zealand chase down a Sri Lankan total. In 2006, he made his Test debut against the West Indies and though he continued featuring in ODIs, poor form caused his axing from the longer format.

However, with a stunning 139 coming of just 116 balls in an ODI against England in 2008, How was once again back in the Test fray after more than a year and opening the batting against the English, scored a neat 92. Thereafter he continued to play the odd good innings but inconsistency and inability to score quick runs saw him being altogether dropped from the side in early 2009. A few good performances in the 2009-10 HRV Cup and in the 2010 Champions League, led to How being recalled to the side for the 2010 ODI series against India.