With first-choice quicks Matt Henry, Will O\u2019Rourke and Kyle Jamieson rested following recent Test commitments and Ben Sears ruled out through injury, Duffy will enter the series as New Zealand\u2019s senior pace option.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve obviously seen how good he is for the last few years. He's taken his opportunities, but now he\u2019s the front man in this bowling unit. There are a couple of younger guys around him, so he\u2019s going to be the main man here,\u201d Santner said ahead of the match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 31-year-old returns to the ODI squad after missing New Zealand\u2019s Test tour of England on paternity leave. The tourists\u2019 pace attack for the series also includes Nathan Smith, Kristian Clarke, uncapped Matt Fisher and Ben Lister, who was called into the squad as Sears\u2019 replacement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Duffy last featured for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League, where he claimed nine wickets in six matches. He also enjoyed a remarkable 2025 in international cricket, breaking New Zealand great Richard Hadlee\u2019s record for the most wickets in a calendar year with 81 scalps.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In ODIs, Duffy has taken 35 wickets at an average of 24.25, with his last appearance in the format coming against the West Indies in November 2025.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With five ODIs scheduled in a short period and the Caribbean conditions expected to test the bowlers, Santner said workload management would be crucial throughout the series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In ODIs, Duffy has taken 35 wickets at an average of 24.25, with his last appearance in the format coming against the West Indies in November 2025.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand will play the opening three ODIs at Providence Stadium in Guyana on July 11, 13 and 15 before travelling to Barbados for the final two matches at Kensington Oval on July 19 and 21.<\/p>\r\n\r\n