"Bit of a surprise...": NZ pacer Duffy on being crowned number one T20I bowler
Hamilton: New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy opened up on being crowned as the number one T20I bowler in the ICC T20I rankings, calling his rise to the top of the table as "bit of a surprise".
Duffy was rewarded for his recent heroics in the series against Pakistan as he reigned supreme in the latest ICC Men's T20I Bowling Rankings.
Opening up on his achievement, Duffy told New Zealand Cricket as quoted by ICC, "It is a bit of a surprise. It is awesome to be amongst some of the players on that list. Getting that kind of recognition is pretty cool."
"I honestly do not know what to say. I have had a lot of messages today around that kind of thing. It is a little bit surreal, to be honest," he added.
Duffy became the first New Zealand player to hold the premier bowling ranking in men's T20I cricket since spinner Ish Sodhi in 2018.
The 30-year-old rose to four spots in the latest rankings to leap past Wanindu Hasaranga, Adil Rashid, Varun Chakravarthy and Akeal Hosein, who held the top spot previously.
In the absence of first-team regulars such as Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson, Duffy emerged as an impressive pacer for New Zealand. In the recent T20I series against Pakistan, he bagged an impressive 13 wickets from his five outings at an average of 8.38 as New Zealand emerged victorious 4-1.
Duffy is also currently the joint-highest wicket-taker in the ODI series against Pakistan, with five dismissals from the two matches so far.
"It has been amazing, just to be in and around the group for the last three or four years, sort of getting a game here and there, but to really get stuck in and play consistent games, get whole series, it has been awesome," he added.
"I just want to be a regular member of the Black Caps across all three formats and win games of cricket for the country."
Having gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, New Zealand will lock horns in the third and last ODI on Saturday, 5 April in Mount Maunganui.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
14 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Sydney Sixers signs former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for upcoming BBL season 15
New Delhi: The Sydney Sixers announced the signing of Pakistan superstar batter Babar Azam for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 15 season, marking one of the biggest acquisitions in the league's history, according to a release from the Sydney Sixers. Widely regarded as one of the premier batters of the modern era, Azam is set to bring his trademark class, consistency, and match-winning ability to the Sixers this summer. With over 10,000 international runs across all formats, the elegant right-hander has firmly established himself as one of the most prolific and dependable performers in world cricket. As per League rules, each club can sign one international recruit ahead of the BBL|15 Draft, which will be held next Thursday, June 19. A central figure in the Pakistan national side over the last decade, Azam led his country across the three formats between 2019 and 2024, notably guiding the side to the semi-final of the ICC World Cup in 2021 and the final of the same tournament the following year. Renowned for his composure and reliability at the crease, Azam has consistently ranked among the world's top batters in the ODI and T20I formats in recent years, was named the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year for consecutive seasons in 2021 and 2022, and was crowned the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year in 2022. A proven record-breaker in the game, he remains the fastest player in history to reach 5000 ODI runs, achieving the milestone in just 97 innings. With franchise experience across the Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League, and English domestic competitions, Azam brings a wealth of T20 experience and over 11,000 runs in the format to date.] In a major boost for the league, the signing will see the 30-year-old make his highly anticipated debut in the Big Bash, with the star talent available for the duration of the competition, including finals. Sixers General Manager, Rachael Haynes, said the club was thrilled to secure a player of Babar's quality. "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Babar to the Sixers this summer." "Babar's resume speaks for itself. The skill, professionalism, and experience that he brings is of enormous value to our playing group and the news is obviously incredibly exciting for our fans." "He is a world-class player and a proven leader. He's not only a huge addition to our club, but to the league as a whole." "The Sixers strive to be a destination club on the global stage - from playing at the iconic SCG to delivering world-class match day experiences and signing the top talent from around the world - and securing a player of Babar's calibre only further strengthens that vision," Haynes added. "We can't wait to welcome Babar into our group later this year, and we know our members and fans will be thrilled to see him in Sixers colours." Speaking about the opportunity to join the Sixers, Babar said, "I'm very proud to be joining the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming season." "It's an exciting opportunity to play in one of the world's best T20 leagues and to be a part of such a successful and respected franchise." "I'm looking forward to contributing to the team's success, building a strong connection with the fans, and sharing this experience with my friends, family and supporters at home in Pakistan," Babar added. (
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Dhuri: cricket journey across continents
MUSCAT: Sandesh Dhuri's cricketing journey spans decades, continents, and generations of aspiring athletes. From a First-Class cricketer in India to a pioneering coach in Oman and now a youth development leader in the United States, Dhuri's legacy continues to inspire. Born in Goa, India, Dhuri represented his home state in the prestigious Ranji Trophy between 1993 and 1998. A right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, he also featured in the South Zone squad for the Duleep and Deodhar Trophies in 1997, playing under legends like WV Raman and Robin Singh. In 1998, Dhuri moved to Oman, contributing to the Omani cricketing family. His playing career culminated with a national team tour to Malaysia in 2006 under coach Sandeep Patil. Transitioning to coaching, Dhuri became an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Level 3 coach and an ICC-certified trainer. He played a key role as an ACC educator in Oman, training future coaches and players alike. In 2023, he was appointed Elite Coach of the Oman A team and led a U19 high-performance camp under Gary Kirsten. Dhuri was also Head Coach at the Bausher Olympic Centre (BOC) in Muscat, where he developed world-class cricket facilities and led community outreach programmes. His leadership turned BOC into a hub for youth development, managing 10 pitches across Muscat and organizing international tours to the UK, India, UAE, Sri Lanka, Australia, and the USA. A landmark came in 2023 when a U17 team under Bausher Sports Centre toured the USA—marking the first cricket tour from the Gulf to the United States. This milestone reflected Dhuri's vision for exposing youth to global competition. In 2024, Dhuri moved to Texas, USA, where he took over as Head Coach of Texas Cricket Club (TCC). Under his guidance, TCC won the U17 International Tour Tournament and the US Junior League Championship. He also helped develop infrastructure at Dallas Sports Center, including turf grounds and pitches. Beyond coaching, Dhuri actively promotes cricket at the grassroots level, organizing youth tournaments, school workshops, and serving on regional selection panels. His efforts continue to shape young cricketers both on and off the field.
Times of Oman
06-06-2025
- Times of Oman
"We're right behind Temba and the team": Graeme Smith backs South Africa to trounce Australia in WTC final
New Delhi: Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith is "right behind" the South African team, which is set to embark on an "important mission" of ending its elongated trophy drought in the World Test Championship against the defending champions, Australia, on Wednesday at the iconic Lord's. South Africa, which has been close to winning a coveted ICC title several times, will have one more shot at ending its wait. Australia, the number one Test team, has been deemed the favourites for the high-stakes final. Despite the odds stacked against the Proteas, Smith has urged everyone to be behind captain Temba Bavuma and his troops as they attempt to pull off a heist and rob the Baggy Greens of the opportunity to return home with the WTC mace. "We're right behind Temba and the team. As the last man that held the mace at Lord's in 2012, it would give me great pleasure to see Temba and this group of players lift it. All South Africans should unite and support the team on this important mission," League Commissioner Graeme Smith said in a video posted by the league on YouTube. Lord's holds a special place in Smith's career. He led the Proteas to the number one Test ranking after a memorable match against England at Lord's back in 2012. It was a pulsating duel that went down to the wire, and the contest was settled with a 51-run triumph for South Africa in the final hour of Day Five. "Lord's is a special, special place. Right from when I watched South African teams play there as a youngster, there were always positive memories. There's so much that comes with it and getting that out the way as you build into playing your games there is important. There's nothing like walking down the stairs through those Member stands and out to a packed Lord's," he said. "It's an incredible feeling, one of those goosebump moments in your career. It's something that I really cherish. For me personally, in 2003, going there, getting a double hundred, winning the Test match, and Makhaya getting 10 wickets is the most incredible first experience of Lord's," he recalled.
