New Zealand pacer Ben Sears has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a hamstring injury. Jacob Duffy, who is a part of the Kiwi squad for their ongoing tri-series in Pakistan, has been named Sears’ replacement for the eight-nation tournament.
“We’re all really feeling for Ben,” said head coach Gary Stead. “It’s always tough being ruled out of a major event at such a late stage, and it’s especially tough in Ben’s case given it would have been his first major ICC event.
New Zealand had roped in speed merchants Sears and Will O’ Rourke alongside all-rounder Nathan Smith for the Champions Trophy 2025. The 26-year-old Sears recently made his ODI debut in the Tri-series which involved New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa after a knee injury consigned him to a long spell on the sidelines.
O’Rourke and Smith are wet behind the ears when it comes to 50-over cricket at the top level but the Blackcaps also have the experienced Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson to count on. New Zealand’s spin department looks sturdy given the addition of all-rounder Michael Bracewell to a squad that features Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner, the latter in his first ICC tournament as skipper of the Kiwis.
Squad News | Fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a hamstring injury and will be replaced by Jacob Duffy. https://t.co/97RRDrouIG #ChampionsTrophy
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 14, 2025
New Zealand aren’t thin on big-match temperament in the batting department with Kane Williamson, Tom Latham and Devon Conway in the squad. “We’re currently blessed with a lot of quality players and that certainly made for some challenging selection discussions,” head coach Gary Stead said.
“Ultimately, we’ve gone with the squad that will offer us the best options to perform well in the expected conditions in Pakistan and the UAE. We’re lucky to have a large chunk of the group with significant international and tournament experience to draw upon.
“The tournament format is a unique one in that you have to hit the ground running which means our preparation in the pre-leading Tri Series is really important. It’s going to be a great occasion opening the tournament against hosts in Pakistan in Karachi and we can’t wait to get over there and get stuck in.”
New Zealand are grouped alongside Pakistan, India and Bangladesh and will partake in the tournament’s curtain raiser against the hosts in Karachi on February 19.
New Zealand squad for Champions Trophy and Pakistan Tri-Series: Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young
About Duffy’s inclusion as replacement, Stead remarked “Jacob showed with his performances in the recent home series against Sri Lanka that he is more than capable at international level. He’s been part of the squad for the ODI Tri-Series so he’s fully acclimatised and he’s got plenty of experience in these conditions and is fit and ready to go. He’s another player who will be experiencing his first senior ICC event, so it will be an exciting few weeks ahead for him.”
