New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears will miss the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old’s left hamstring hurt during the BLACKCAPS’ first Karachi training session on Wednesday. At least two weeks of rehabilitation were needed after scans revealed a small tear.Due to his recuperation timeframe, Sears is projected to miss most of New Zealand’s Group A matches, possibly returning in Dubai for their final match against India.
New Zealand changed their squad, eliminating Sears, due to the tournament’s short duration. Otago Volts bowler Jacob Duffy will replace Sears in Champions Trophy. Duffy is ready for Karachi’s conditions as part of New Zealand’s ODI Tri-Series lineup against Pakistan and South Africa.
BLACKCAPS
Sears’ injury was disappointing for BLACKCAPS head coach Gary Stead, since the Champions Trophy would have been his first major ICC event debut.
“We’re all really feeling for Ben,” added Stead. It’s hard to be ruled out of a major event so late, especially because it would have been Ben’s first major ICC event.”
“Ben would likely miss most of the group stage due to his recovery time, and since the tournament is short, we felt it was appropriate to field a fully fit player.”
Stead said, “Ben is a player with huge potential and given the short rehabilitation timeframe, we’re sure he’ll be fit and raring to go for the home series against Pakistan back in New Zealand.”
Stead also supported Duffy, saying, “Jacob showed with his performances in the recent home series against Sri Lanka that he is more than capable at international level.”
“He was in the ODI tri-series team, so he’s well-acclimatized, has experience in these circumstances, and is fit and ready.”
Another guy will play his first senior ICC event, so it will be a wonderful few weeks for him.”
New Zealand will play defending champions and hosts Pakistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy opener on February 19. The Blackcaps will play Afghanistan in Karachi on Sunday as a warm-up.
