Jacob Duffy’s 13-Year Wait Ends: Southland’s First Test Cricketer in 47 Years Shines on Debut

1. The Long Road to the Test Cap

At 31, Jacob Duffy became the first Southlander to play Test cricket in 47 years, fulfilling a dream that began in his backyard in Lumsden, where his father rolled a clay pitch for practice 5. Duffy’s journey was anything but linear:

• Early Promise: Debuted for Otago at 17, taking 3/19 in a T20 match, including Kane Williamson’s wicket.

• Setbacks: Dropped by Otago coach (and current NZ coach) Rob Walter to refine his action after losing swing due to pace-focused adjustments.

• White-Ball Success: Rose to No. 1 in ICC T20I bowler rankings (April 2025) but waited years for a Test chance.

2. Emotional Debut in Bulawayo

Duffy’s Test debut came in NZ’s 2nd Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on August 7, 2025. His reaction was poignant:

“A little bit emotional… You wonder if it’s ever going to happen. But to finally get that nod, it’s special.” 1

• Historic Moment: Last Southlander to play Tests was Robert "Jumbo" Anderson in 1978.

• Family Support: Duffy credited his family for unwavering belief during his decade-long wait.

3. Match Impact: Quiet but Crucial

While Matt Henry (5/40) and Zakary Foulkes (4/38) stole the spotlight by skittling Zimbabwe for 125, Duffy played a disciplined role:

• Bowling: Opened the attack with Henry, delivering 6 tidy overs (0/12) and maintaining pressure 1.

• Batting: Scored **8* as nightwatchman**, showcasing grit with two confident shots 9.

4. Zimbabwe’s Collapse & NZ’s Dominance

New Zealand’s pace quartet (including debutants Duffy, Foulkes, and Matthew Fisher) exploited Zimbabwe’s frailties:

• Key Wickets: Henry and Foulkes reduced Zimbabwe to 67/4 by lunch, with Brendan Taylor’s 44 the lone resistance.

• Conway-Young’s 162-Run Stand: NZ’s openers erased Zimbabwe’s total by stumps (174/1), led by Devon Conway’s 79* .

5. The Bigger Picture

• NZ’s Pace Depth: With injuries to Nathan Smith and Will O’Rourke, Duffy’s debut highlighted NZ’s red-ball pipeline.

• Taylor’s Return: Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor, back after a 3.5-year ban, scored 44 but lamented his soft dismissal.

Conclusion: A Dream Realized

Duffy’s debut symbolized perseverance—a 17-year-old prodigy turned 31-year-old Test cricketer. As NZ eyes a series sweep, his story resonates beyond stats: a testament to resilience in cricket’s unforgiving arena.

What’s Next? Duffy aims to build on his debut as NZ pushes for an innings victory on Day 2.