AUCKLAND: New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Sunday, announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, slated to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.
Bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who took the realm of New Zealand’s white-ball teams last month, will lead the contingent in the upcoming eight-team tournament and preceding tri-nation series against hosts Pakistan and South Africa, scheduled to run from February 8 to 14.
The squad features a mix of senior and junior players, including an emerging pace trio of Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears and Nathan Smith, who will be featuring in their maiden senior ICC event.
Santner, who will be leading New Zealand for the first time in a men’s senior ICC event, will serve as the frontline spinner but will be supported by all-rounders Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra.
Right-arm pacer Matt Henry will lead New Zealand’s pace bowling attack, further bolstered by the experienced speedster Lockie Ferguson.
Former captain Kane Williamson will lead the Blackcaps’ batting unit, comprised Ravindra, Devon Conway and Will Young, Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman.
Furthermore, the NZC also named right-arm pacer Jacob Duffy as the stand-by player and will be included in the main squad if Ferguson becomes unavailable due to ILT20 play-off commitments.
The Blackcaps, drawn in Group A, will start their Champions Trophy 2025 against hosts Pakistan in the curtain raiser in Karachi on February 19.
New Zealand squad for Champions Trophy 2025 and tri-nation series:
Mitchell Santner (c) (Northern Districts), Michael Bracewell (Wellington Firebirds), Mark Chapman (Auckland Aces), Devon Conway (Wellington Firebirds), Lockie Ferguson (Auckland Aces), Matt Henry (Canterbury), Tom Latham (Canterbury), Daryl Mitchell (Canterbury), Will O’Rourke (Canterbury), Glenn Phillips (Otago Volts), Rachin Ravindra (Wellington Firebirds), Ben Sears (Wellington Firebirds), Nathan Smith (Wellington Firebirds), Kane Williamson (Northern Districts), Will Young (Central Stags)
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.
