Ben Sears and Will O'Rourke included in New Zealand's Champions Trophy squad

Sears, who was a traveling reserve for last year’s T20 World Cup, recently played his first game since April and returned from injury in the Super Smash and is set to make his ODI debut after playing one Test and 17 T20 matches. O’Rourke has impressed across all formats early in his international career and has particularly caught the eye in Tests.

Meanwhile, Smith will bring strength to the lower order with the bat and explosive seam bowling.

head coach gary steed He said Sears was always in New Zealand’s Champions Trophy plans, with his speed in the air seen as the deciding factor on Pakistan pitches.

“We have been a bit conservative about Ben’s return to the game, but we always had a view that we thought he would be a part of this Champions Trophy team,” Stead said. “He’s one of those guys, when you look at places like Pakistan, that pure pace is something you’re looking for, and he certainly has that. It’s always good to see a young Tiewe , and very excited to have him join the squad.”

Stead was confident that Sears would perform well in terms of match-fitness after returning from injury.

“Ben is still bowling a lot over the winter,” he said. “He had been in and around our Test team before the injury, so we are confident he will be where he needs to be.”

After the addition of Sears, O’Rourke and Smith, there was no place in the main team. jacob duffyWho is coming off a successful season in international white ball cricket.

“It’s a difficult decision,” Stead said. “Jacob Duffy is probably a guy that people would say has worked very hard. He’s been very good in everything he’s played for us. However, I think the way to look at it is if some of people probably like a lockie fergusonWere available, Jacob Duffy might not have got the opportunity, so it’s a real positive story for us that even though Jake missed out [out]It’s still positive that we’re adding that depth to our team long-term.”

Ferguson, Williamson and Conway face impasse in T20 league

The same team will take part in the ODI tri-series in Pakistan before the Champions Trophy, which will also include South Africa. If Ferguson is unavailable for those games due to the ILT20, Duffy is named on standby for that series. It will also be a tough transition for Kane Williamson and Devon Conway who are in the SA20.

The SA20 final will be played on 8 February, with the ILT20 decider the following day. In their first match of the tri-series, New Zealand will play Pakistan on February 8 and then face South Africa on February 10. After this, on 16 February they have to play a practice match against Afghanistan.

Stead said New Zealand want Ferguson, Williamson and Conway to play at least two matches – including warm-ups – to prepare themselves for the Champions Trophy. “Those three guys, they’re world-class players for us. So Kane, Devon and Lockie will be in our team – they could be there as early as the start of the tri-series, [or] It may happen after a few days.”

michel santner Will lead New Zealand in a global event for the first time and will rely on the experience of players like Williamson and Tom Latham.

Mark Chapman and Will Young have earned places while spin-bowling allrounder Michael Bracewell has also been included.

New Zealand will play the first match of the tournament against Pakistan in Karachi. Their second match is against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi before traveling to Dubai to face India.

“Once we pick a team, we like to stick with it but it will probably depend a lot on circumstances,” Santner said. “Karachi can play very differently to Rawalpindi and then Dubai. With the short nature of the tournament, if you are happy with your XI, you want them to be there and perform in all three games. But we are depending on the circumstances. But you’ve got to play with your best team given what’s in front of you and the circumstances will probably dictate that.”

New Zealand squad for Champions Trophy and Pakistan tri-series

Mitchell Santner (captain), 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

0700 gmt The story was updated with quotes from Stead and Santner.

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