Jacob Duffy Wins Sir Richard Hadlee Medal at 2026 New Zealand Cricket Awards

Jacob Duffy has won the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal at the 2026 New Zealand Cricket Awards, recognizing his outstanding performance during the award season. Duffy took 25 wickets in Tests at an impressive average of 16, including three five-wicket hauls in just four matches.

In addition to the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal, Duffy was also honored with the Test Player of the Year award and received the Winsor Cup for first-class bowling. His achievements have drawn praise from cricket legends, including Sir Richard Hadlee, who stated, “Jacob’s durability, consistency, and ability to take wickets in pressure moments made him the most complete bowling performer of the season.”

Amelia Kerr also shone at the awards, winning the Debbie Hockley Medal for the fourth consecutive time. She topped New Zealand’s T20I run charts with 354 runs at an average of 70, further solidifying her status as a leading player in women’s cricket. Debbie Hockley remarked, “Quite simply, we’re talking about a dominant force in every facet of the game, and one of the most influential players in women’s cricket history.”

Other notable winners at the awards included Tim Seifert, who was named Men’s T20I Player of the Year, and Daryl Mitchell, who received the Men’s ODI Player of the Year award. Brooke Halliday was recognized as the Women’s ODI Player of the Year, while Henry Nicholls and Jess Kerr were named Men’s Domestic Player of the Year and Women’s Domestic Player of the Year, respectively.

Duffy’s remarkable season highlights his growth and impact in New Zealand cricket, and observers are eager to see how he continues to perform in future competitions.