The New Zealand cricket team has suffered a significant blow ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the entire tournament.
Sports News: With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 just days away, squad changes continue to ripple through participating teams. New Zealand has received a major setback as fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the entire tournament due to a hamstring injury. The New Zealand Cricket Board has announced a replacement player. Sears' absence will likely impact the Kiwi team's pace bowling attack. The New Zealand team is currently in Pakistan, participating in a tri-series ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Jacob Duffy Replaces Ben Sears
The New Zealand team has received a major setback ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with fast bowler Ben Sears ruled out of the entire tournament due to a hamstring injury. The New Zealand Cricket Board's official statement explained that Sears experienced hamstring trouble during practice in Karachi, following which he underwent a scan. Reports suggest he will be sidelined for at least two weeks, ruling him out of the tournament.
Otago Volts fast bowler Jacob Duffy has been named as his replacement and is already with the New Zealand team in Pakistan for the ongoing tri-series.
Concerns over Rachin Ravindra and Lockie Ferguson's Fitness
Further changes to the New Zealand squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are possible. Concerns remain over the fitness of two key players, Rachin Ravindra and Lockie Ferguson. Rachin Ravindra suffered a blow to the head while taking a catch during the first match of the tri-series and remains sidelined. The team management is monitoring his recovery, but his participation in the tournament's opening match is uncertain.
Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is yet to fully recover from a hamstring injury. The team management is taking a cautious approach and will make a final decision on his fitness soon. Following Sears' withdrawal, Ravindra and Ferguson's injuries present new challenges for the team. If both players are unable to regain fitness in time, the New Zealand Cricket Board may need to announce further replacements.
