New Zealand Skipper Backs Jacob Duffy to Lead Pace Attack in Windies ODIs Mitchell Santner has expressed confidence in Jacob Duffy’s ability to lead New Zealand’s pace attack during the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies, emphasizing the seamer’s readiness to take on the responsibility of guiding a youthful bowling unit. The Black Caps’ skipper highlighted Duffy’s consistent performances over the past few years, noting that the 31-year-old has earned the opportunity to step into the role of senior pace option after the absence of key players due to Test commitments and injury. Duffy, who missed New Zealand’s Test tour of England on paternity leave, returns to the ODI squad as the most experienced pace bowler available. With first-choice quicks Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, and Kyle Jamieson rested following their recent Test duties, and Ben Sears ruled out due to injury, Duffy’s inclusion is crucial for the Black Caps’ depth. The pace attack for the series also features Nathan Smith, Kristian Clarke, uncapped Matt Fisher, and Ben Lister, who was called up as Sears’ replacement. Santner acknowledged the challenges of managing workload across five ODIs scheduled in a short timeframe, particularly in the demanding Caribbean conditions. He noted that Duffy’s excitement to return to action after time away from the game will be tempered by the need to balance performance with recovery. “We’ve got five games in a short amount of time and that’s going to be part of it as well,” Santner said. “Managing the workload of bowlers and seeing how they pull up after games will be key. It can be sticky and hot here, so it could be a squad effort.#new_zealand #kyle_jamieson #west_indies #mitchell_santner #jacob_duffy
Tom Latham Relishes Rare Chance to Hit England with Full-Strength Seam Attack New Zealand captain Tom Latham expressed excitement about facing England in a Test series with a fully loaded seam bowling attack, highlighting the team’s depth and adaptability. The squad, which includes returning fast bowlers Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke, is set to deploy a potent mix of pace and movement, aiming to disrupt England’s gameplan following their recent Ashes defeat in Australia. Latham emphasized the importance of having multiple options at his disposal, calling it an “awesome” situation for the team. Jamieson, the 6ft 8in fast bowler, is set to return to Test cricket after a two-year injury absence, while O’Rourke has recovered from a back injury. Matt Henry, the experienced seamer, will lead the attack, supported by Nathan Smith, whose recent county cricket experience in England could earn him a spot in the fourth seamer role. Jacob Duffy, who missed the tour due to paternity leave, is absent, but the squad’s seam stocks are otherwise fully loaded, with Blair Tickner and Zak Foulkes also in the squad. Latham confirmed the availability of all key quicks, describing the depth as a significant advantage. The New Zealand team’s preparation has been affected by persistent rain in London, forcing indoor training sessions. Latham joked about the lack of fun in the nets but expressed confidence in the bowlers’ readiness for the upcoming Test matches. He praised Henry’s leadership, noting his ability to move the ball in the air and off the surface, as well as his role as a strike weapon. Henry, who recently played in the IPL, joined the squad early after his franchise was eliminated from the tournament, flying to England ahead of schedule. His fitness was confirmed after a minor hamstring injury in India.#kyle_jamieson #tom_latham #matt_henry #nathan_smith #will_o_rourke
NZ Women vs SA Women 5th T20I Match Preview - NZ, SA have all to play for as low-context series reaches high-stakes finale New Zealand chose to field. Stats view Live Forecast:SA 156 Published: Mar 24, 2026, 6:06 AM Kyle Jamieson could be a key player with the series locked 2-2 • Getty Images Big picture: A series with plenty to take away At the press conference after the fourth T20I, Tim Robinson suggested a little bit of history might have been made. He was talking about himself and Katene Clarke, who had debuted that day. "I also think it might have been the first time two Māori players have opened the batting for New Zealand. I dunno, you have to check that stat, but I think it's pretty cool." The Māori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. They form about 14% of the population now and there is a lot of focus on keeping their culture and language alive. Sport is a big driver there. The All Blacks perform the haka, a Māori war dance, before all their matches. Cricket broadcasts mention the Māori names of the places the matches are taking place in. South Africa's men's and women's teams were given a Māori welcome when they landed in Mount Maunganui a little over a week ago. Conrad: Whether it is fully-fledged international cricket, I think the jury is out Meet Katene Clarke, New Zealand's latest big-hitting batter Covid 'sort of a saving grace in cricketing terms' for Esterhuizen In the middle of a series that is slipping under the radar, it was nice for something like this to crop up. Robinson and Clarke will be back at the top of the order for the fifth and deciding T20I with Tom Latham ruled out of the series with a thumb injury and Devon Conway off to play in the PSL.#new_zealand #south_africa #kyle_jamieson #wiaan_mulder #tim_robinson
New Zealand vs South Africa, 5th T20I, South Africa tour of New Zealand, 2026 New Zealand opted to bowl first in the 5th T20I of the South Africa tour, setting the stage for a competitive encounter at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The match, scheduled for 7:15 PM local time, saw both teams vying for dominance in a high-stakes clash. Early overs highlighted the potential for a tight contest, with New Zealand’s bowlers targeting the powerplay to disrupt South Africa’s rhythm. The first over from Kyle Jamieson indicated a batting-friendly surface, with the ball offering movement and pace. South Africa’s openers, Wiaan Mulder and Tony de Zorzi, faced challenges as Jamieson’s deliveries swung and skidded off the pitch. Mulder managed a couple of runs, including a boundary off a well-timed cut, but the New Zealand bowler’s accuracy and pace kept the scoreboard low. De Zorzi, meanwhile, struggled against Zakary Foulkes, who consistently found the edges and forced the left-hander into defensive positions. The match forecast suggested a score of 45-55 for South Africa, with the grass on the pitch likely to aid movement in the early overs. New Zealand’s strategy of bowling first aimed to exploit the conditions and create early breakthroughs. However, the South African batsmen showed resilience, with de Zorzi managing to clear the boundary and Mulder capitalizing on loose deliveries. As the innings progressed, the commentary highlighted the tactical nuances of the game. Foulkes and Jamieson alternated deliveries, testing the South African batters with variations in pace and spin. The fielding side remained alert, with a dropped catch by Clarkson at cover-point allowing Mulder to add runs. Despite the challenges, South Africa’s openers managed to build a solid foundation, setting the tone for a closely contested match.#new_zealand #south_africa #kyle_jamieson #tony_de_zorzi #hagley_oval
South Africa and New Zealand T20 Match Ends in New Zealand Victory The second T20 of the five-match series between South Africa and New Zealand took place at Seddon Park in Hamilton on March 17. New Zealand set a target of 175 runs in their innings, while South Africa managed only 107 before being all out. The hosts secured a comfortable 68-run win, extending their lead in the series. During the match, South African batter Vian Mulder hit a remarkable six that landed on the road outside the stadium. The ball, struck during the second delivery of the third over, traveled approximately 100 meters before hitting the ground. The shot drew attention from spectators and commentators, highlighting Mulder’s aggressive approach. The delivery was bowled by New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson, who had been in control of the innings earlier. New Zealand’s batting lineup showed resilience, with their top order scoring steadily to build a strong foundation. The team’s ability to capitalize on loose deliveries and rotate the strike was evident throughout their innings. In contrast, South Africa’s batting struggled to find consistency, with key wickets falling early and the middle order failing to mount a recovery. The series remains deadlocked at 1-1 following the match, with three games remaining. The next fixtures are scheduled for March 20, 22, and 25, providing both teams with opportunities to shift the momentum. The outcome of these matches will determine the overall winner of the series, with the final game set to be a crucial deciding factor. The result underscores the competitive nature of the T20 format, where a single moment of brilliance or a lapse in concentration can alter the course of a match.#south_africa #kyle_jamieson #seddon_park #new_zeedland #vian_mulder
