Jacob Duffy made record-breaking history on Monday by breaking the legendary Richard Hadlee’s 40-year-old record of taking the most wickets for New Zealand in 2025.
The 31-year-old fast bowler sealed the record during New Zealand’s 2-0 win over the West Indies, taking 23 wickets over three matches at an average of 15.43.
Overall, the New Zealand cricketer’s wicket tally reached 81 in his 36 matches, surpassing Hadlee’s previous mark of 79 in 1985 in 23 matches.
Duffy needed 39 innings to break the record with an average of 17.11. On the other hand, Hadlee achieved his total in 29 innings with an average of 18.51.
After making his Test debut against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on August 7, 2025, Duffy enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough year. He ended the year 2025 with 25 wickets from just four matches.
In addition, he collected a well-deserved Player of the Series award after claiming a five-wicket haul in each of the three Tests.
Besides 25 Test wickets, Duffy also dismissed 21 batters in 11 ODIs and 35 batters in 21 T20Is played in 2025.
In a post-match interview, Duffy said: “I saw that list of most wickets in a calendar year at lunch, and there were some great names on it. To be alongside players like that on any list is really special.”
