Jacob Duffy’s outstanding run in international cricket has been rewarded with his first-ever T20 World Cup selection after New Zealand named an experienced squad for the upcoming tournament in India and Sri Lanka.
The 31-year-old Otago pacer is the only uncapped World Cup player in a Black Caps squad boasting a combined 1,064 T20 international caps.
Duffy will be led by all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who captains a spin-heavy lineup designed to suit sub-continental conditions.
Duffy enters the tournament in red-hot form. He finished 2025 with 81 international wickets across formats, surpassing Sir Richard Hadlee’s long-standing New Zealand record of 79 wickets in a calendar year.
His consistent performances also lifted him to second place in the ICC T20I bowling rankings.
The right-arm seamer was a key figure during New Zealand’s injury-hit home season, leading the pace attack against the West Indies and earning Player of the Series honours.
With several senior bowlers unavailable at different stages, Duffy’s reliability and ability to deliver under pressure stood out.
New Zealand’s squad reflects a strong focus on spin, with three of their four group matches set to be played at Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium.
Alongside Santner, the spin department includes leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and all-rounders Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra.
The pace attack remains well covered, with Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Milne joining Duffy, while Jimmy Neesham adds seam-bowling depth. Kyle Jamieson has been named as the travelling reserve.
In the batting department, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and wicketkeeper Tim Seifert provide a mix of power and experience.
Seifert will link up with the squad after completing his Big Bash League commitments.
Several players, including Allen, Chapman, Ferguson, Henry, and Santner, are currently following return-to-play programs but are expected to be fit in time for the tournament.
Ferguson and Henry may also be granted short-term paternity leave during the competition.
Head coach Rob Walter expressed confidence in the squad’s balance, highlighting the group’s familiarity with sub-continental conditions as a key advantage ahead of the global event.
