New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy is set for his T20 World Cup debut after being picked in the 15-member squad to be led by Mitchell Santner.
The 31-year-old, currently the second-ranked bowler in T20Is, was in red-hot form across formats in 2025 with 81 international wickets from 36 matches, breaking Richard Hadlee’s 40-year record of 79.
Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry and Adam Milne are the quicks in the Black Caps’ T20 World Cup squad alongside all-rounder Jimmy Neesham. Both Ferguson and Henry may take a brief paternity leave during the tournament beginning on February 7, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement.
Kyle Jamieson will travel with the squad as the fast-bowling reserve.
Apart from Santner, New Zealand will have four other spin options in specialist Ish Sodhi and all-rounders Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra. Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Tim Seifert are the specialist batters.
“We’ve got plenty of power and skill in the batting, quality bowlers who can adapt to conditions, plus five all-rounders who all bring something slightly different,” head coach Rob Walter said.
Rathour’s SL role
Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour is likely to work in a similar capacity for Sri Lanka leading into the World Cup.
Former national selector Rathour, who worked with the Indian team till 2024
and is currently assistant coach of Rajasthan Royals, may join the Sri Lankan team next week.
Written with Reuters inputs
