Published: Feb 14, 2025, 10:53 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 14, 2025, 10:53 PM (IST)
New Zealand pacer Ben Sears has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to a hamstring injury, landing a huge blow to the team’s campaign. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has named fellow pacer Jacob Duffy as his replacement.
Sears sustained the injury during the team’s first training session in Karachi, with scans confirming a minor tear that requires at least two weeks of rehabilitation. Given this timeline, he would have only been available for New Zealand’s final Group A match against India. As a result, NZC opted to replace him with a fully fit player.
Head coach Gary Stead expressed sympathy for Sears, stating, “We’re all really feeling for Ben. It’s always tough being ruled out of a major event at such a late stage, and it’s especially tough in Ben’s case given it would have been his first major ICC event.”
His replacement Duffy has impressed in recent matches and was with the squad for the ODI Tri-Series against Pakistan and South Africa. Head coach Stead praised Duffy’s recent performances against Sri Lanka and his familiarity with subcontinental conditions, saying he is “fit and ready to go.”
The Black Caps will be hoping their young guns to deliver in the Champions Trophy. The pacers in particular have a big void to fill in which was left behind by former seamers Tim Southee and Trent Boult. New Zealand will be playing their first match of the ICC tournament on February 19 against hosts Pakistan in Karachi.
