Duffy reflects on ‘pretty cool’ Black Caps debut

Jacob Duffy gets out on the Island Park golf course yesterday. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Jacob Duffy gets out on the Island Park golf course yesterday. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Not that you could notice - but the nerves were certainly there for Jacob Duffy last Friday night.

Duffy (26) made his international debut for the Black Caps against Pakistan at Eden Park and had a night to remember, picking up four wickets in the twenty20 international and winning man of the match honours.

He also pulled off an absolutely stunning catch, although it was ruled out after he made slight contact with the boundary marker.

Back in Dunedin now after not making the squad for the final two games, Duffy said he loved playing on the big stage.

"Just the buzz that was around that sort of cricket -  the bigger crowds, all the noise, the way the game is played.

"It was just awesome. It was a bit more than I expected," he said.

The crowd was amazing and overall it was a "pretty cool" experience.

But he was very nervous before bowling his first ball.

"I ran into Baz [former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum] just before the game.

"He’s one of those guys, just with who he is, and I really get quite nervous around him. So when I met him I could not get my words out for him.

"But as soon as I got out on the field, bowled that first ball, I was fine.

"That wicket was one you would like to bowl on. There was a bit of bounce in it and gave a bit of shape. It was good fun."

Duffy picked up the first three wickets of the innings, sitting on a hat-trick at one stage. He then got rid of the dangerous Pakistan captain Shadab Khan off the first ball of his fourth over but was carted for 20 runs off his final five balls, always a chance in twenty20 and at a small ground like Eden Park.

In between bowling, Duff bagged a stunning catch at third man, running hard to his right and putting a hand out to take the ball. When he fell his hand - by the breadth of a feather - touched the boundary marker.

"It was just one of those ones where you just put your hand out. I did just graze the rope - felt my knuckle touch it. I wasn’t getting too excited."

After the game, as New Zealand won by five wickets with seven balls to spare, Duffy then lapped it all up in the changing room for a while and then caught up with family who were all buzzing.

His partner Tash, his mother and partner, his brother and sister-in-law and uncle had all been at the game so it was a good night.

The only drawback was Duffy had a 7.45am flight to Dunedin on Saturday so he had a short sleep on Friday night.

Despite his impressive performance, Duffy had only been picked for the opening twenty20 match and has quickly come back into the Otago fold.

He was congratulated by New Zealand coach Gary Stead but the coach made no promises.

"I always knew I would only be there for one game. But I did not do too bad.

"I showed I’m ready if anything should happen to someone."

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