Selection feels ‘more real’ this time
THIS one is feeling a little more real for Jacob Duffy.
The 26yearold was ‘‘over the moon’’ yesterday as he reflected on the news of being included in the Black Caps’ latest test squad.
He joins Rachin Ravindra as one of two surprise selections in the 20strong squad to tour England.
There it will play two tests against the home side, before the World Test Championship final against India at Lords.
The rightarm seam bowler made his international debut against Pakistan in a twenty20 earlier this summer, taking four wickets.
However, his expectations of making the test squad had not been high and it was exciting to receive the call from coach Gary Stead on Wednesday morning.
‘‘It’s very similar to when I made my T20 debut. There were a lot of messages back then and same again this time,’’ Duffy said.
‘‘Going on a test tour is pretty special and, not to say it’ll outdo that, but this one feels a bit more real and you’re part of the proper test squad.’’
Duffy, who is from Lumsden, has played 69 firstclass games for Otago and New Zealand A.
He has taken 197 wickets at an average of 31.95 during that career, which stretches back to 2012 when he debuted as a teenager.
While having made the squad, he will face plenty of competition to make the playing lineup.
Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner have formed a strong trio for a long time.
Kyle Jamieson has been arguably the star of the past summer in the test arena.
Matt Henry and Doug Bracewell are also quality bowlers who will go to England.
While he would put his best foot forward, Duffy said it would be equally good to get in the environment and see those how those veterans operated.
‘‘It’s a pretty settled team and they’ve obviously done pretty well.
‘‘I’m pretty realistic about my position in the team, but to be part of that setup is pretty cool.
‘‘To see how Tim Southee goes about his work with the Duke ball in England, things like that are awesome. It’s nice to be part of it.
‘‘Obviously, I got a bit of a taster of the Black Caps environment.
‘‘I loved every minute of it, everyone was awesome. I could see why they’re so successful.’’
The seamerfriendly conditions and Duke ball would suit Duffy as well and he was excited to get over there.
‘‘I’ve been over there a few years and played with the Duke.
‘‘I’ve had good fun with it and it’s pretty awesome.
‘‘Those conditions suit me very well and are probably part of the reason I’m on this tour to begin with.’’
The Black Caps’ tests against England begin on June 2 and 10 at Lords and Edgbaston respectively.
The World Test Championship final against India follows on June 18 at Southampton.
HE will not be getting on the plane to England with the Black Caps later this year.
But Otago allrounder Michael Rippon can celebrate a wonderful season which enabled him to scoop the major men’s prize at the Otago Cricket Awards evening at the Longroom last night.
The former Dutch international was named Otago Volts cricketer of the year following a tremendous summer.
The leftarm wrist spinner came to life in the later stages of the Plunket Shield.
He took a careerbest six for 66 to help the Volts beat Central Districts by 44 runs at the University of Otago Oval last month.
The following week he was desperately unlucky not to pick up another fivewicket bag and lead Otago to a victory against Northern Districts.
The 29yearold right hander’s fighting qualities with the bat were on display as well. He scored 497 runs at an average of 45.18.
Rippon also had a big impact in the Super Smash for the province. He took 10 wickets and went for just 7.24 an over.
He has enhanced his reputation as a quality player who appears capable of making the step up should the Black Caps ever need a spinner who can bat.
The night’s other big winner was Katey Martin. The veteran wicketkeeper was the Sparks’ player of the year.
She was Otago’s leading scorer in the Super Smash with 265 runs at a strike rate of 116.74.
Martin missed most of the oneday campaign but managed to score 258 runs at 64.50 in the four games she did play.
Martin also claimed the Sparks batting award, while medium pacer Emma Black was named Sparks bowler of the year.
Michael Rae produced the performance of the year with his hattrick against Central Districts and was also named Volts bowler of the year, while Hamish Rutherford collected the batting award.