In a significant selection move, New Zealand Cricket on Wednesday included fast bowler Jacob Duffy in their squad for the upcoming ICC Twenty20 World Cup. This announcement crowns a phenomenal year for the 31-year-old pacer, who has shattered a long-standing national record.
A Record-Shattering Calendar Year
Jacob Duffy's remarkable 2025 saw him claim a staggering 81 wickets in international cricket across 36 matches. This phenomenal haul allowed him to surpass the legendary Sir Richard Hadlee's 40-year-old record of 79 wickets in a single calendar year, a feat achieved back in 1985. His stellar performances have also propelled him to the second position in the global T20 bowling rankings.
Despite being part of a vastly experienced Black Caps unit that collectively holds over 1,064 T20 caps, this selection marks Duffy's first-ever call-up to a T20 World Cup squad. He slots into a potent pace attack featuring the likes of Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026. Kyle Jamieson will travel as the reserve fast bowler.
Composition of the Black Caps Squad
The squad will be captained by all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who will also lead a spin department comprising specialist Ish Sodhi, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra. Both Santner and Sodhi bring prior World Cup experience from the 2016 edition held in India.
The batting lineup is fortified by specialists Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert. Seifert is scheduled to join the squad after completing his commitments in Australia's Big Bash League (BBL).
The selection comes with fitness considerations, as several key players are currently undergoing rehabilitation. Allen (finger/hamstring), Chapman (ankle), Ferguson (calf), Henry (calf), and captain Santner (adductor) are all receiving treatment. Furthermore, Ferguson and Henry are likely to take short-term paternity leave during the tournament.
Duffy's Rise and the Road Ahead
Duffy's inclusion is a testament to his resilience and form. He shouldered the responsibility of leading New Zealand's pace attack across all formats during the domestic season, stepping up in the absence of a host of injured senior bowlers including Henry, Will O'Rourke, Ben Sears, Jamieson, Nathan Smith, and Ferguson. His 81 wickets came at an impressive average of 17.
New Zealand's preparation for the World Cup includes a white-ball series in India in January 2026, followed by a warm-up match against the United States. They have been placed in Group D for the World Cup, where they will face Afghanistan, the UAE, South Africa, and Canada.
New Zealand T20 World Cup Squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.
