Duffy, who was born in Lumsden, progressed through the Southland age-group cricket system, played first XI cricket for Southland Boys’ High School, and lined up for the Metropolitan Cricket Club in Invercargill. Southland Cricket Association president Gerry Ward said he has followed Duffy’s progress from a primary schoolboy in Lumsden and was delighted to see him now get his opportunity with the Black Caps. “From a Southland Cricket Association point of view, it is great that young players can now see there is a pathway if you are persistent and work hard at,” Ward said. “He still recognises himself as a Southlander and if he had the opportunity to play more Hawke Cup cricket for Southland he would. Everyone [in Southland] that I’ve talked to is really pleased for him.”