In recent development, New Zealand has been hit and forced to last-minute changes ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Ben Sears’ fast bowlers was excluded due to a knee injury and a cricket in Novi Zealand (NZC) announced a similar replacement for the tournament.
Ben Sears sustained a knee injury during a training session in Karachi on Wednesday. She discovered a smaller tear, which requires a two -week recovery period. Sears would only be available for the final group game of the team against India, which led to his exclusion from the team for the ICC tournament.
Jacob Duffy replaces the injured Ben Sears in Trophy champion
Ben Sears presented himself in both games against Pakistan and South Africa during the current three-series. The fast bowlers failed to take any hicket in any match. However, New Zealand still managed to reach the finals of the three series. The 27-year-old played only two ODOs, and his debut match comes against Pakistan.
Jacob Duffy, who is already on the team for three-series in Pakistan, will replace Sears in the Champions Trophy team. Duffy played 10 ODO, taking 18 Wicksketing with a 6.25 economic rate. The 30-year-old Bowler last played for New Zealand in January, where he took two shots against Sri Lanka.
We all really feel for Ben Sears – the main coach of New Zealand
New Zealand coach Gary Stead revealed the decision to turn off Ben Sears from the champion trophy. Stead pointed out how difficult it is to miss Sears to miss the big event, especially since it would be his first ICC tournament.
“We all really feel about Ben. It is always difficult to be excluded from the big event in such a late phase, and it is especially difficult in Ben’s case considering that it would be his first ICC event,” Stead Nzc.nz was quoted.
“Time frames for Bena to be suitable for playing meant that most of the group phases would probably miss, as given the short nature of the tournament, we thought it was appropriate to bring in a player who was completely in shape and ready to leave,” he added.
Jacob showed his performances in the recent Home series – Gary Stead
Gary Stead stated that Jacob Duffy is able to perform well in his first ICC event. He pointed out that Duffy performed well in the recent Sri Lanka series.
“Jacob, with his performances in a recent home series, showed against Sri Lanka that he is more than capable of internationally,” Stead said.
“He was part of the team for three-series ODO, so he was fully acclimated and has a lot of experience in these conditions and is ready and ready to leave. He is another player to experience his first senior event, so be it Exciting a few weeks before him, “he added.
New Zealand is located in a heavy group with Bangladesh, India and Pakistan for the eight team tournament. They will start their campaign of Trophy champion against host Pakistan in Karachi on February 19th.
Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Kevin Pietersen chooses 4 semi -finalists
