In-form NZ seamer aims bigger in WTC push

With New Zealand kicking off their ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 race, Jacob Duffy is already looking ahead to the challenges that could define the next phase of his career.

The Black Caps, currently placed second in the ongoing WTC cycle after sweeping West Indies 2-0 at home, face a demanding road ahead, including a home series against India and marquee tours of England and Australia.

For a side that were the inaugural WTC winners, these fixtures carry added significance in shaping another title push.

“It’s amazing, there’s Test cricket [against] India at home as well, that’s a huge series,” Duffy said.

“It’s exciting for the group and definitely I’ve done two-and-a-half England tours now where I’ve not played, so to go over there and potentially maybe do that and Aussie away too — those are the pinnacles I think. Those are the highlights of your career potentially, especially in the red-ball scene.”

Those possibilities have been fuelled by a standout season in which Duffy has emerged as New Zealand’s pace spearhead amid an injury-hit bowling attack. With senior quicks Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke sidelined at various points, Duffy consistently stepped up across formats, leading the attack at Mount Maunganui in the recent Test match as well.

His impact has been reflected in the numbers too. Duffy has taken 81 wickets across formats in the calendar year, the most by a New Zealand player, surpassing Richard Hadlee’s long-standing mark of 79 set in 1985.

Known for his swing and accuracy, Duffy adapted seamlessly to the demands of a day-five Bay Oval surface, extracting steep bounce off a hard length to dismantle a West Indies side that had only recently pulled off a remarkable draw in Christchurch.

“I’m just enjoying my career, I don’t know. I don’t look at things too holistically I guess,” Duffy said after the series-clinching win.

“It has been an awesome ride; it’s been testing with all the bowlers going down and obviously the workload is pretty high.

“But I guess the fact that Tommy [Tom Latham] keeps asking me to bowl the ball, I’d like to view that as a bit of a privilege. You just get to trust you to keep bowling and doing the good stuff, so that’s what I’m trying to do,” he added.

Duffy finished the three-match Test series with 23 wickets at an average of 15.43, a haul that set a new New Zealand record for most wickets in a single home Test series, surpassing Trent Boult.

As New Zealand navigate a crucial stretch in the WTC cycle, Duffy’s rise has positioned him as a central figure in their red-ball ambitions.