- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 218,158
There was a moment on Wednesday when it all became a reality for Jacob Duffy.
The 26-year-old Southlander is preparing for a potential Black Caps’ debut on Friday night when they take on Pakistan in a Twenty20 cricket international in Auckland.
Duffy joined the New Zealand squad on Tuesday and it took little time for the reality of his selection to hit home.
“I just got my shirt today and it was pretty cool to see your name on the back of a Black Caps shirt, that was pretty awesome,’’ he told Stuff.
Jacob Duffy bowling for Southland Boys’ High School in a Southland club cricket game in 2011.
The rise to the Black Caps has prompted some reflection for Duffy.
His cricket playing days started out in the small northern Southland town of Lumsden, where he attended primary school before shifting to Invercargill.
He progressed through the Southland age-group ranks before emerging in 2012 as a 17-year-old star when he made his Otago Volts debut.
If Duffy is included in the playing XI for Friday night's game, he will become the first Southlander to debut for the New Zealand cricket team since Jeff Wilson in 1993.
“It is funny where your head goes when this sort of thing comes. I actually reflect a lot on playing backyard cricket with [older brother] Ryan and some of our mates.
“We would be in teams and you would be New Zealand and come out as Nathan Astle and Stephen Fleming. So I reflect on that and it’ i pretty surreal to now be part of the group.’’
Duffy has been humbled by the support he has received from his home province of Southland since being announced in the Black Caps squad on Saturday.
The first person to message him was Southland cricket coach Steve Jackson.
Jackson has followed Duffy’s progress from his days playing at Southland Boys’ High School, where Jackson was a teacher.
“It is the small community vibe you get [in Southland]. I have got messages from people in Invercargill that I have not heard from in a hell of a long time. It is nice to know that they are still following you and still care,” Duffy said.
Jacob Duffy bowling for the Otago Volts against Northern Districts in a Ford Trophy game in Dunedin.
Jackson was thrilled for Duffy.
“It is well deserved and I think it has been coming for a while.”
It was evident early in Duffy’s career that he had potential, Jackson said.
He recalls selecting Duffy to play for Southland at Hawke Cup level as a teenager. Duffy had restrictions put on him as to how many overs he could bowl because of his age.
“I think it was against Hamilton. I remember talking to the opposition and they said he was the most difficult bowler to face. He was hitting the bat hard at that age,” Jackson said.
While Duffy's selection has prompted excitement, in Southland in particular, just whether he gets his shot at playing on Friday is yet to be confirmed.
“Fingers crossed but I have honestly got no idea at the moment. I would love to get a run, have a go, and see what I have got against some of the best in the world.”
Whether Duffy is playing or not he has a big support crew of family heading to Auckland for Friday night's game.
“I don’t think they normally let [the players] have that many people but they said because it was a potential debut they will squeeze them in.”
As big of an occasion as it is, Duffy said the New Zealand players and management had helped him settle into the environment this week.
“There are a lot of friendly faces and everyone has been bloody awesome, to be honest. I think they make a bit of a deal of it when it is your first time in the group, to go out of their way and be extra welcoming.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/crick...-new-black-cap-jacob-duffy-follows-his-heroes
The 26-year-old Southlander is preparing for a potential Black Caps’ debut on Friday night when they take on Pakistan in a Twenty20 cricket international in Auckland.
Duffy joined the New Zealand squad on Tuesday and it took little time for the reality of his selection to hit home.
“I just got my shirt today and it was pretty cool to see your name on the back of a Black Caps shirt, that was pretty awesome,’’ he told Stuff.
Jacob Duffy bowling for Southland Boys’ High School in a Southland club cricket game in 2011.
The rise to the Black Caps has prompted some reflection for Duffy.
His cricket playing days started out in the small northern Southland town of Lumsden, where he attended primary school before shifting to Invercargill.
He progressed through the Southland age-group ranks before emerging in 2012 as a 17-year-old star when he made his Otago Volts debut.
If Duffy is included in the playing XI for Friday night's game, he will become the first Southlander to debut for the New Zealand cricket team since Jeff Wilson in 1993.
“It is funny where your head goes when this sort of thing comes. I actually reflect a lot on playing backyard cricket with [older brother] Ryan and some of our mates.
“We would be in teams and you would be New Zealand and come out as Nathan Astle and Stephen Fleming. So I reflect on that and it’ i pretty surreal to now be part of the group.’’
Duffy has been humbled by the support he has received from his home province of Southland since being announced in the Black Caps squad on Saturday.
The first person to message him was Southland cricket coach Steve Jackson.
Jackson has followed Duffy’s progress from his days playing at Southland Boys’ High School, where Jackson was a teacher.
“It is the small community vibe you get [in Southland]. I have got messages from people in Invercargill that I have not heard from in a hell of a long time. It is nice to know that they are still following you and still care,” Duffy said.
Jacob Duffy bowling for the Otago Volts against Northern Districts in a Ford Trophy game in Dunedin.
Jackson was thrilled for Duffy.
“It is well deserved and I think it has been coming for a while.”
It was evident early in Duffy’s career that he had potential, Jackson said.
He recalls selecting Duffy to play for Southland at Hawke Cup level as a teenager. Duffy had restrictions put on him as to how many overs he could bowl because of his age.
“I think it was against Hamilton. I remember talking to the opposition and they said he was the most difficult bowler to face. He was hitting the bat hard at that age,” Jackson said.
While Duffy's selection has prompted excitement, in Southland in particular, just whether he gets his shot at playing on Friday is yet to be confirmed.
“Fingers crossed but I have honestly got no idea at the moment. I would love to get a run, have a go, and see what I have got against some of the best in the world.”
Whether Duffy is playing or not he has a big support crew of family heading to Auckland for Friday night's game.
“I don’t think they normally let [the players] have that many people but they said because it was a potential debut they will squeeze them in.”
As big of an occasion as it is, Duffy said the New Zealand players and management had helped him settle into the environment this week.
“There are a lot of friendly faces and everyone has been bloody awesome, to be honest. I think they make a bit of a deal of it when it is your first time in the group, to go out of their way and be extra welcoming.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/crick...-new-black-cap-jacob-duffy-follows-his-heroes
