New Zealand Cricket have announced their squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and have decide to go with three pacers with one in reserve.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, along with the preceding tri-series in Pakistan. The team will be going with as many as three plus one pace bowlers (one as a reserve).
Ben Sears and Will O’Rourke have been taken in the squad, with Ben yet to make his ODI debut. Fast-bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith as also been given the chance despite him just playing five ODIs so far. Pacer Jacob Duffy has also been included as a reserve.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead is satisfied with the squad that has been picked for the tournament, and has supported them to win the Champions Trophy after more than 24 years.
“We’re currently blessed with a lot of quality players and that certainly made for some challenging selection discussions,” Stead said in NZC’s media release.
“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,” he added.
“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,” he concluded.
The players that are notably absent from the team include leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and James Neesham. Kyle Jamieson is also yet to make a comeback in the national squad after his injury.
New Zealand squad for Champions Trophy and Tri-series:
Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young
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