Jacob Duffy has been one of the form bowlers in the Plunket Shield this season and he hopes to carry that form onto the international stage.
The 20-year-old from the SBS Bank Otago Volts was surprised to get the call up for the tour of England where he will play for the New Zealand XI in the BLACKCAPS’ preparation for the Test series.
Duffy, alongside Devon Hotel Central Stags pace-bowler Ben Wheeler, will join the side for the first two warm-up games against Somerset and Worcester in May ahead of the First Test against England at Lord’s.
He was given the news that he would pack his bags during the lunchtime break of the final match of the Plunket Shield.
“I was absolutely stoked,” said the former New Zealand Under 19 rep.
“It came as a massive shock, I didn’t expect to be in contention at this stage of my career but it is an opportunity I intend to grab with both hands.”
Click Here for Jacob Duffy's First Class record.
Duffy said his goal for the season with the SBS Bank Otago Volts was to stay on the field as much as possible after a few injury interrupted seasons have tested his patience.
He had surgery to remove a bone that was floating around in his ankle and worked hard in rehabilitation to get back to his best.
“It’s all good now and I have really enjoyed my cricket and being able to play injury free.”
It is showing in his results.
Duffy’s career-best match haul of 9 for 123 laid the foundation for the SBS Bank Otago Volt's four-wicket win against table-toppers Canterbury recently in Dunedin.
He picked up four wickets in the first innings, but it was his five-wicket bag in the second innings that limited Canterbury’s lead to 141. The SBS Bank Otago Volts chased down the target in 31.3 overs to register a memorable win over the defending champions.
In total, Duffy has claimed 45 wickets in the Plunket Shield this year including three five wicket bags - 5-57 against the Mondiale Auckland Aces, 6-83 versus the Sky City Northern Knights and 5-58 against Canterbury.
“It has been good fun this season with the Otago team. I have been really pleased with the way I have been bowling. It is nice to be injury free and having regular time on the park.”
Duffy said it was even more exciting to be called into the New Zealand XI squad after the incredible summer the BLACKCAPS have had including making the ICC Cricket World Cup Final for the first time.
“Everyone in New Zealand is on such a cricket high at the moment and I am sure the boys are all looking forward to getting to England to continue that momentum.”
Duffy is looking forward to the trip for more than just the cricket. He has never been to England before and is excited about the life experience that lies ahead.
“A lot of people have told me what it will be like. I am looking forward to experiencing it all for myself. It is one of the best tours that the BLACKCAPS go on so to be involved so early in my career is huge.”
He bowled with the Duke ball, used by the English Cricket Board, recently for the first time which was an adjustment.
It will be the first of a range of new experiences.
He said the fact that there are some SBS Bank Otago Volts in the side and a high degree of comfort with the recently appointed BLACKCAPS bowling coach Dimitri Mascharenas would help his transition.
“Dimi has been a great guy to work with and he has been a huge part of my success and development this season,” he said.
“It is great to have him inside the BLACKCAPS coaching team to help with my transition. It is good to have a guy like there who I know so well and feel comfortable around.”
Duffy is looking to take the pressure off himself in his first international tour. He sees it as a great learning opportunity.
“I want to do all the little things really well and then the performance will take care of itself. It is not every day you get to tour England with the BLACKCAPS so I am pretty focused on enjoying the experience and performing the best I can. If I can put my best foot forward then hopefully that will bode well for future opportunities. I am pretty excited about what lies ahead.
“To be in the mix with the BLACKCAPS is great for the confidence and I cannot wait to get out there and perform.”
The New Zealand XI will play two warm-up matches on the Tour of England.
v Somerset, Taunton Vale, May 8-11
v Worcester, New Road, May 14-17
