New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on January 12 announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the preceding tri-series in Pakistan involving South Africa. New Zealand have picked as many as five pacers in the squad including Ben Sears and Will O'Rourke. Sears is yet to make his ODI debut. Fast-bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith got a chance despite playing just five ODIs so far. Also, pacer Jacob Duffy has been included as a reserve.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead is happy with the squad picked for the major tournament and backs them to win the Champions Trophy after a long duration of 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.
“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.”
Notable absentees
The notable absentees from the side include leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and James Neesham. Also, Kyle Jamieson is yet to make his comeback into the national squad after his injury. However, Jamieson has been playing domestic cricket.
New Zealand's Champions Trophy and Tri-series squad
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
New Zealand's fixtures in tri-series and Champions Trophy
The tri-series will begin on February 8 when they take on the hosts. They will take on South Africa in the next clash on February 10. If they qualify for the final, it will be played on February 14.
In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, they have been placed alongside defending champions Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. They will play the tournament opener against Pakistan in Karachi on February 19. Their next two matches against Bangladesh and India are on February 24 and March 2.