New Zealand's Jacob Duffy Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Otago bowler Jacob Duffy will finally achieve a dream when he takes to the field for the second Test against Zimbabwe on Thursday.
Duffy will make his Test debut after being confirmed in the Black Caps eleven.
With a couple of injuries in the squad Duffy was tapped on the shoulder by coach Rob Walter, confirming he would play in Bulawayo.
"It's been a while coming; I'm not a spring chicken anymore," 31-year-old Duffy said on the eve of the Test.
"There are certain points in your career when you wonder if it's ever going to happen."
The quick bowler has played 27 T20 internationals and 14 ODIs since making his international debut in 2020 and while he has been a part of a Test squad he has never played the longest form of the game.
Duffy said he has always loved his time in the Black Caps squad, however, some moments have been tough.
"When you're the guy sitting there without a cap all those times it can be pretty tough to swallow.
"That Indian Test series (at the end of 2024) when we won 3-0 over there was one of my favourite tours I've ever been on and I didn't even play.
"So to get that black cap is a dream come true and I feel like I really belong."
He admits it is also going to be emotional when he takes the field at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
"Hopefully we win the toss and I get a bowl. I'd love to get into it straight away and team up with my good mate Matt Henry at the other end with the new ball.
"Just do what I do, if I'm not ready now I'm never going to be."
Captain Mitchell Santner confirmed Duffy would play and indicated there could be other debutants.
With quick bowlers Nathan Smith and Will O'Rourke ruled out with injury from the first Test lineup, Ben Lister, Zak Foulkes and Matt Fisher come into contention.
Black Caps bowler Jacob Duffy celebrates with team mates after dismissing Sri Lanka batter Kusal Mendis during the recent one day series between the two sides. Photo: Photosport
Batting allrounder Michael Bracewell, who played the first Test is now in England so Ajaz Patel is a spinning option.
However, Santner will probably take the lead with that role and adding Patel does lengthen the tail.
So two other quicks could be selected with Foulkes likely because of his batting skills.
The top order is likely to remain unchanged despite Bevon Jacobs being called in as cover.
That could result in Santner moving up to seven in the batting order with two of Foulkes, Lister and Fisher playing.
Meanwhile, Brendan Taylor returns to the Zimbabwe side following his suspension.
Taylor was suspended for three and a half years for breaching the ICC anti-corruption code.
The 39 year old is just 62 runs away from becoming the third Zimbabwean to scored 10,000 international runs.
New Zealand won the first Test by nine wickets.
