In addition to costing him a place in the side, injuries have prevented Daryl Tuffey from performing to his full potential. A far better bowler than his statistics suggest, Tuffey debuted for Northern Districts in the 1996-97 season, his hard work bearing fruit when he was called up to the national side for New Zealand’s 3rd Test against Australia at Hamilton in 2000.

A disappointing Test debut was followed by his maiden ODI appearance against Zimbabwe the same year, but it was his first complete Test series against Pakistan which brought Tuffey into the limelight in a serious way. 16 wickets in 3 Tests followed by brilliant game against England in 2002 where he picked up a match haul of 9 wickets and inspired the Kiwis to square the series 1-1. More was to come on India’s tour to NZ in 2002-03, where he created absolute havoc in both Tests and ODIs picking up an astonishing 25 wickets. He sealed his place as a Kiwi regular before 2004 saw his fortunes changing.

Dropped from the Test side, he made it to the 2007 World Cup but gradually lost his spot in ODIs and his international career seemed over with his foray to the unofficial and later banned rebel league But 2009 handed him a new lease of life - almost poetically - following the death of the infamous league. The burly fast-bowler went on to play his first Test in 5 years against Pakistan in December 2009. The comeback was soon halted by a number of injuries, broken hand bones, strained biceps, etc. following which the veteran lost his central contract with New Zealand. In 2012, Tuffey announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.