Terrence Duffin: updated biography

FULL NAME: Terrence Duffin
BORN: At Kwekwe, 20 March 1982
MAJOR TEAMS: CFX Academy
KNOWN AS: Terry Duffin. Nicknames: Cow, Duff, Duffy.
BATTING STYLE: Left Hand Bat
BOWLING STYLE: Right Arm Medium Pace
OCCUPATION: CFX Academy student

FIRST-CLASS DEBUT: 16-18 February 2001, CFX Academy v Mashonaland, at Harare Sports Club
TEST DEBUT: Still awaited
ODI DEBUT: Still awaited

BIOGRAPHY (March 2000)

Terry Duffin achieved the unusual distinction of captaining a team on his first-class debut, at the age of 18, when he appeared for the CFX Academy in the first match of the 2000/01 Logan Cup programme. This followed his captaincy of the national Under-19 team, so he was perhaps a natural choice to lead the young, inexperienced Academy team in their first match.

Terry does not have the benefit of a strong family background in cricket, as his father was more of a rugby player. His is a farming family, and although he was born in the Midlands town of Kwekwe, his family moved to a farm near Karoi, in the northern part of the country, when he was few months old. He did get a basic introduction to cricket in informal family games on the farm, but his real development took place when he went to Rydings Primary School, in Karoi.

He began playing in Grade 4, and spent two years in the school colts team and two in the seniors. His natural talent was soon evident at colts level, when he won the award as the best all-round player at the Rydings Festival but has little memory of his performances there. He played for the Country Districts side in the national primary schools cricket week, and remembers scoring 83 for a Zimbabwe A side against the selected national side. In one school match he took seven wickets for 28 runs against Barwick School, his best return in any form of cricket.

He moved on to Plumtree High School as a boarder and was good enough to play for the school first team for five years, the last three as captain, and he was also head boy in his final year. He had also captained his side while in Form One. He recorded his highest score in any form of cricket so far, 198 against Jameson, along with eight other centuries for the school. With the ball his best performances were six for 3 and six for 41 against Christian Brothers College and Milton respectively.

At representative level he played for Matabeleland Country Districts and the Matabeleland Under-19 side since he was in Form Three, at the age of 16, when he also played for the national Under-16 team. In 1998 and 2000 he played for the Zimbabwe Under-19 teams, the latter year as captain. A groin injury hindered his play and prevented him from bowling in 1999; it still bothers him at times. The team participated in the South African Under-19 Week and tour. His most memorable performance for that team was a match double of 83 and 55 in a three-day game against Natal, while for the Matabeleland side he scored 157 against Harare Schools.

He played club cricket for Bulawayo Athletic Club for two seasons before moving to Queens Sports Club. During the school holidays he returned to the family farm, at Shangani in Matabeleland after another move in 1997. He has played winter cricket for Plumtree and Matabeleland Districts, and has scored four centuries for the club.

In 2000, and with encouragement from his parents, he applied for and was accepted at the CFX Academy, with a fine record behind him. As a batsman, he is a good straight driver of the ball, while as a bowler he swings the ball away, and can also move it off the seam, although he is not now a regular bowler. He usually fields at mid-on or mid-off. He is one of Zimbabwe's most promising cricketers, and as an opening batsman, although he would prefer batting down the order, he will not be short of opportunities to display his worth.

Terry pays tribute to Dave Houghton as a great influence on his cricket at Under-19 level and now at the Academy. At school he had numerous coaches, but thrived despite that handicap.

Cricket heroes: "Steve Waugh, for the example he sets on the field and the way he bats; the way he goes out to bat and his body language."

Toughest opponents to date: "Andrew Stone, who was at the Academy last year."

Immediate ambitions: "To play at national level, hopefully for the World Cup, or just after. Maybe go overseas and play a bit of county cricket."

Proudest achievement so far: "Captain of the Under-19 side last year."

Best friends in cricket: "Just about everyone at the Academy!"

Other qualifications: A-levels.

Other sports: Rugby, athletic (national athletics captain), a bit of hockey in Form One, but no other sports at present.

Outside interests: Fishing, travelling.