Source: Radio New Zealand
New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd 2025
Jacob Duffy’s super summer will continue after being named in the Black Caps squad for next month’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India.
The Otago pace bowler is set for his first senior World Cup after being included in an experienced 15-player squad.
The 31-year-old is the only first timer in the New Zealand squad boasting 1064 T20I caps and will be captained by Mitchell Santner.
Duffy, the second ranked T20I bowler in the world, has been in red-hot form for the Black Caps across the formats, finishing 2025 with a total 81 international wickets, breaking Sir Richard Hadlee’s 40-year record of 79 in a calendar year.
He was the mainstay of the injury depleted New Zealand attack in the pre-Christmas series against West Indies and was named Player of the Test Series.
Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry and Adam Milne are the other pace-bowlers in the squad with Jimmy Neesham the pace-bowling all-rounder.
Black Caps bowler Jacob Duffy celebrates with team mates after dismissing Sri Lanka batter Kusal Mendis during the recent one day series between the two sides. Photosport
Ish Sodhi is the only specialist spinner, while Santner, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra are spinner all-rounders.
Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Tim Seifert are the specialist batters.
Seifert, who will take the gloves in India, will join the squad following a stint in Australia’s Big Bash League.
Allen (finger/hamstring), Chapman (ankle), Ferguson (calf), Henry (calf), and Santner (adductor) are undergoing respective return-to-play plans and are currently on track to be fit for the tournament.
With Ferguson and Henry’s partners due to give birth during the tournament period it is likely they will be granted short-term paternity leave.
Kyle Jamieson will travel with the squad as the pace-bowling reserve.
Coach Rob Walter said the squad covered all bases.
“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.
“This is an experienced group and the players are no strangers to playing in the sub-continent, which will be valuable.”
New Zealand will play a white ball series in India in January before the World Cup.
Tim Seifert bats for the Black Caps against England in the second T20 cricket international at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, 20th October, 2025. Photosport
Black Caps T20 World Cup squad
- Mitchell Santner (c) Northern Brave
- Finn Allen Auckland Aces
- Michael Bracewell Wellington Firebirds
- Mark Chapman Auckland Aces
- Devon Conway Wellington Firebirds
- Jacob Duffy Volts
- Lockie Ferguson Auckland Aces
- Matt Henry Canterbury Kings
- Daryl Mitchell Canterbury Kings
- Adam Milne Wellington Firebirds
- James Neesham Auckland Aces
- Glenn Phillips Volts
- Rachin Ravindra Wellington Firebirds
- Tim Seifert Northern Brave
- Ish Sodhi Canterbury Kings
Black Caps T20 World Cup Schedule
- Warm-up – v USA – Friday 6 February, 2.30am NZT (Navi Mumbai)
- 1st T20I – v Afghanistan – Sunday 8 February, 6.30pm NZT (Chennai)
- 2nd T20I – v UAE – Tuesday 10 February, 10.30pm NZT (Chennai)
- 3rd T20I – v South Africa – Sunday 15 February, 2.30am NZT (Ahmedabad)
- 4th T20I – v Canada – Tuesday 17 February, 6.30pm NZT (Chennai)
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
