Exciting Milestone: Jacob Duffy Earns Maiden T20 World Cup Call-Up for New Zealand 2026
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New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy has been named in New Zealand’s T20I squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, marking his first-ever World Cup selection. The tournament is set to begin next month, and Duffy’s inclusion caps a remarkable year in which Jacob Duffy claimed 81 international wickets in the 2025 calendar year.
Santner to Lead Experienced New Zealand Side
All-rounder Mitchell Santner will captain an experienced New Zealand squad, reflecting a preference for familiarity and adaptability in sub-continent conditions.
However, there were notable omissions. Tim Robinson, Bevon Jacobs, and Zakary Foulkes have missed out on selection, while tall fast bowler Kyle Jamieson has been named as the travelling reserve.
Pace Attack Built Around Depth and Variety
Alongside Jacob Duffy, New Zealand’s pace unit features a strong mix of experience and speed:
Lockie Ferguson
Matt Henry
Adam Milne
All-rounder James Neesham provides additional seam-bowling depth.
It is highly likely that Kyle Jamieson could play a role during the tournament, as both Henry and Ferguson are expected to take short-term paternity leave, with their partners due to give birth during the World Cup window.
Spin Resources for Sub-Continent Conditions
Spin will be a crucial factor in Indian conditions, and New Zealand appear well covered. Captain Santner will lead the spin attack alongside veteran leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who featured in the same tournament in India a decade ago.
The combination offers control through the middle overs and wicket-taking options on slower surfaces—key ingredients for success in the sub-continent.
Batting Line-Up: Power and Flexibility
New Zealand’s batting unit blends explosiveness with experience:
Finn Allen provides power at the top
Tim Seifert will partner Allen and handle wicketkeeping duties
Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra form a versatile middle order
With Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell adding all-round depth, New Zealand boast batting strength well into the lower order.
Group D Fixtures and Tournament Schedule
New Zealand have been placed in Group D, alongside Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, and UAE.
Their group-stage fixtures are as follows:
February 8: vs Afghanistan – Chennai
February 10: vs UAE – Chennai
February 14: vs South Africa – Ahmedabad
February 17: vs Canada – Chennai
The clash against South Africa is expected to be the decisive contest in the group.
New Zealand Squad – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi
Travelling Reserve: Kyle Jamieson
Conclusion
Jacob Duffy’s maiden T20 World Cup selection is the standout storyline from New Zealand’s squad announcement. After a prolific 2025 and years of steady progress, the left-arm pacer now gets the opportunity to perform on cricket’s biggest T20 stage.
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