Santner backs pacer to come good in the Windies ODIs

Mitchell Santner has thrown his support behind Jacob Duffy to spearhead New Zealand's pace attack during the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies, saying the experienced seamer has earned the opportunity to lead a youthful bowling group.

Santner believes the 31-year-old is ready to embrace the added responsibility.

"We've obviously seen how good he is for the last few years," Santner said.

"He's taken his opportunities, but now he's the front man in this bowling unit. There are a couple of younger guys around him, so he's going to be the main man here."

Jacob Duffy celebrates a wicket with Tom Latham in New Zealand's third ODI against West Indies (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

With first-choice quicks Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke and Kyle Jamieson rested following recent Test commitments, and Ben Sears ruled out through injury, Duffy returns to the ODI squad as the senior pace option after missing New Zealand's Test tour of England on paternity leave.

New Zealand's pace attack for the series also includes Nathan Smith, Kristian Clarke, uncapped Matt Fisher and Ben Lister, who was called into the squad as Sears' replacement.

With five ODIs scheduled across a short period in Caribbean conditions, Santner expects workload management to play an important role throughout the tour.

"He's (Duffy) obviously excited to play after a bit of time at home,

We've got five games in a short amount of time and that's going to be part of it as well, managing the workload of bowlers and seeing how they pull up after games. It can be sticky and hot here and take a bit out of you, so it could be a squad effort."

Duffy last featured for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, where he picked nine wickets in six outings.

He had an incredible 2025 in the international circuit as he broke Richard Hadlee's record of most wickets in a calendar year, with 81 scalps. 

In ODIs, he has claimed 35 wickets at an average of 24.25, with his last appearance against West Indies in November 2025.

The Black Caps begin the series with three ODIs in Guyana before travelling to Barbados for the final two matches, with Santner expecting conditions to vary significantly between the venues.

"I guess for every team, when you're away from home, that's always going to be the challenge and we know West Indies is a great place to come," Santner said.

"Conditions can change and we do pride ourselves on adapting pretty quickly to what's confronting us. It's going to be no different this series.

New Zealand will kick off their five-match ODI series against West Indies on July 11 .

New Zealand v West Indies ODI series schedule:

First ODI: July 11, Providence Stadium, Guyana

Second ODI: July 13, Providence Stadium, Guyana

Third ODI: July 15, Providence Stadium, Guyana

Fourth ODI: July 19, Kensington Oval, Barbados

Fifth ODI: July 21, Kensington Oval, Barbados