Jacob Duffy made history as the first cricketer from Southland, New Zealand to represent the national team since 1993.
Jacob Duffy achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first player from Southland, New Zealand, to play for the national team since Jeff Wilson did so in 1993. The speedster from New Zealand earned recognition for his strong performances against Pakistan, rising to the top of the ICC Men's T20I Bowling Rankings. When discussing his cricketing journey, Duffy became the first native Southlander to represent New Zealand since Jeff Wilson when he debuted in a Twenty20 International in December 2020. As a fast bowler, he possesses all the fundamental attributes needed for success. Tall in stature, Duffy initially struggled to fully harness his natural talents but eventually mastered the ability to swing the ball both ways. During his early days playing for New Zealand's Under-19 team, his bowling action showed signs of instability, but he corrected this flaw as he progressed through the ranks. He attributed his technical refinements—including adjustments to his follow-through—to earning his first international call-up in late 2020. Following his impressive debut against Pakistan, where he took four wickets and earned Player-of-the-Match honors, Duffy made sporadic appearances for New Zealand over the next three years. However, in 2024, he was granted his first central contract. Within domestic cricket, particularly in the four-day Plunket Shield competition, he remained a dominant force. In 2023, Duffy surpassed Stephen Boock's nearly 30-year-old record as Otago's leading wicket-taker across formats by taking nine wickets in a match against Northern Districts in Dunedin. Now, the New Zealand fast bowler holds the top position in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings. Born on August 2, 1994, in the small village of Lumsden, located in Southland, New Zealand, Jacob Duffy grew up in a family deeply passionate about cricket. His father, Ryan Duffy, who also played the sport, introduced him to the game at a young age. Jacob honed his skills and developed a strong love for cricket while attending Southland Boys' High School in Invercargill. Jacob Duffy wears the jersey number 27 in both domestic and international matches. Below is his current estimated net worth. The fast-medium bowler from Lumsden, Southland, has featured in 13 One Day Internationals so far, securing 24 wickets at an average of 25.29, conceding roughly 6.15 runs per over, with his best figures being 3 for 35. Across 23 T20 Internationals, Duffy has taken 32 wickets at an average of 16.09, giving away around 6.99 runs per over, with his best performance being 4 for 14. Jacob Duffy made his ODI debut on July 12, 2022, representing New Zealand against Ireland. He is a right-arm fast-medium bowler. All visuals are used for editorial purposes only and are licensed exclusively through Getty/Source.