New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has unveiled a 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa. The selection marks a significant shift as the team embraces fresh faces, leaving out veteran pacer Trent Boult.
New Zealand’s New Faces in the Pace Department
The squad features an exciting pace trio—Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke, and Nathan Smith—making their debut in an ICC event.
Ben Sears: Yet to play an ODI but boasts 40 wickets in 33 List-A matches.
Nathan Smith & Will O’Rourke: Reliable contributors across formats for New Zealand.
They join experienced bowlers Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson, forming a mix of youthful energy and seasoned expertise in the seam-bowling department.
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Mitchell Santner: New Zealand’s Captain for Champions Trophy
Mitchell Santner will lead the Black Caps in his first ICC event as captain. His all-round skills, combined with support from spin-bowling all-rounders Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips, add depth to the squad. Tom Latham retains the wicketkeeping duties.
New Zealand Squad for Champions Trophy 2025
Captain: Mitchell Santner
Players: 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
Gary Stead on New Zealand’s Squad Selection
Head coach Gary Stead praised the squad’s depth and highlighted the challenging selection process:
“We’re currently blessed with a lot of quality players, which made for some challenging discussions. Ultimately, we’ve gone with the squad that offers us the best options to perform well in the conditions expected in Pakistan and the UAE.”
New Zealand’s Schedule and Group Details
Tri-Series: Pakistan and South Africa (February 8–14, 2025)
Champions Trophy: Clubbed with India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan
Opening Match: Against Pakistan on February 19 in Karachi
Conclusion
New Zealand is gearing up for a packed cricketing calendar with their focus on making a mark in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With a balance of fresh talent and experienced campaigners, New Zealand aims to dominate on subcontinental pitches.
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Stay updated for more news about New Zealand cricket as the Champions Trophy approaches!