LAHORE: The New Zealand cricket team has announced its 15-member squad for four matches tri-series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The tri-nation One-Day International (ODI) series with New Zealand and Pakistan starts on February 8. The New Zeland will go with the same squad to the ICC Champions Trophy, set to start on February 19. This marks the Champions Trophy’s return after an eight-year gap.
The squad was revealed at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland. Much of the excitement centers on debutants Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, and Nathan Smith. These pacers will play their first senior ICC event.
Sears, returning from a knee injury, made his comeback last week in a Super Smash match for the Wellington Firebirds. O’Rourke and Smith have also impressed in recent domestic seasons. Both have become key contributors for the Blackcaps.
Mitchell Santner, the new white-ball captain, will lead the squad. Kane Williamson and Tom Latham, both senior players, bring experience to the team. Latham will keep wickets, while Williamson provides stability as the most seasoned batter.
The pace attack includes Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson. Jacob Duffy is on standby in case Ferguson faces issues during the ILT20 play-offs. Santner will lead the spin department, supported by Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, and Michael Bracewell.
Devon Conway and Will Young will open the batting. Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman add power to the middle order.
New Zealand squad:
Mitchell Santner (capt), Will Young, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke
The Blackcaps famously won the inaugural Champions Trophy, then called the ICC KnockOut Trophy, in 2000 by beating India. In recent ICC events, New Zealand has reached at least the semi-finals in four of the last five tournaments.
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The team is in Group A with Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
Head coach Gary Stead praised the players, especially the debutants. He also acknowledged the challenges of the tournament.
