It is commendable that even after the retirements of three of their finest pacers—Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Neil Wagner—New Zealand has continued to produce quality fast bowlers who ensure the country’s cricket flag flies high.
Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke, Ben Sears, and Nathan Smith have maintained a strong pace attack. There’s little doubt about that. But what matters in international cricket is how well-oiled a machine can you generate that keeps churning future names and talents. And right now, on the tour of Zimbabwe, the inclusion of Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes, and Matt Fisher—all of whom made their debuts in the second Test at Bulawayo—further demonstrates the depth of New Zealand’s pace bowling resources.
Jacob Duffy
A tall fast bowler from Lumsden, Jacob Duffy has been a prominent figure in New Zealand’s domestic cricket for quite some time. He made his first-class debut in 2012 at the age of 17 and has since been one of the leading wicket-takers in the Plunket Shield, New Zealand’s premier first-class tournament.
A graduate of Southland Boys’ High School in nearby Invercargill, Duffy made his international debut in 2020 and has impressed particularly in limited-overs cricket. His record speaks volumes about his potential: with 318 wickets in 108 first-class matches, Duffy brings valuable experience to the team. He is poised to be a key partner to Matt Henry and William O’Rourke as the third seamer.
Many experts believed Duffy deserved a chance on the Zimbabwe tour, and with an impressive performance, he could establish himself as a strong option for the upcoming seasons alongside Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson.
This is particularly crucial as New Zealand plans to field four pacers at home against the West Indies. Duffy, who now holds the record for the most wickets for Otago across all formats, is predominantly a swing bowler capable of swinging the ball both ways. Especially with the new ball, he can be a formidable threat.
Zakary Glen Foulkes
Zakary Glen Foulkes, popularly known as Zak Foulkes, hails from Christchurch. The 23-year-old developed a love for cricket as a child, playing alongside his younger brother Robbie Foulkes on their family lawn. Their passion for the game was inspired by their father, Glen, who represented Canterbury at the domestic level.Both brothers earned sports scholarships and graduated with a Bachelor of Land and Property Management from Lincoln University.
Zak Foulkes made his first-class debut in 2022 and, like Jacob Duffy, quickly built a strong reputation in the limited-overs formats. This eventually earned him an opportunity to debut in the second Test against Zimbabwe. Though Foulkes might appear to be an easy bowler to face at first glance, his height allows him to generate bounce, and he combines this with effective variations that can trouble even the best batters.
Matt Fisher
An exciting prospect, Matthew Fisher is regarded as one of the fastest pace bowlers in New Zealand’s cricket setup. In an era where raw pace is a key asset for top teams, the presence of Fisher alongside Ben Sears allows New Zealand to blend genuine speed with swing and seam movement.
Fisher is highly rated by New Zealand’s current coach, Rob Walter, who recognizes the unique “X factor” that Fisher brings to the bowling attack. Although Fisher has faced injury setbacks—common among fast bowlers who rely heavily on pace—Walter observed his potential firsthand during the A team tour in 2022. This belief in his abilities was a major factor behind Fisher receiving his Test cap in the second Test at Bulawayo. New Zealand will be keen to give him opportunities in the upcoming home summer to see how he can add a fresh and dynamic dimension to their pace attack.
