New Zealand pace bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a hamstring injury. Jacob Duffy, who is with the New Zealand team for the ongoing tri-series in Pakistan, has been named Sears' replacement for the eight-nation tournament.
According to a New Zealand Cricket release, Sears experienced pain in his left hamstring during the team's first training session in Karachi. He subsequently underwent a scan which revealed a minor tear, needing at least two weeks' rehabilitation. Considering this, Sears would have only been available for New Zealand's final group match against India on March 2, leading to the decision of replacing him for the entire tournament.
"We're all really feeling for Ben," said head coach Gary Stead. "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.
"The timeframes for Ben to be fit to play again meant he would likely miss the majority of the group stage, and given the short nature of the tournament, we felt it was appropriate to bring in a player who is fully fit and ready to go," said Stead. "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."
About Duffy's inclusion as replacement, Stead added: "Jacob showed with his performances in the recent home series against Sri Lanka that he is more than capable at international level. He's been part of the squad for the ODI Tri-Series so he's fully acclimatised and he's got plenty of experience in these conditions and is fit and ready to go. He's another player who will be experiencing his first senior ICC event, so it will be an exciting few weeks ahead for him."
New Zealand begin their campaign with the tournament opener against Pakistan in Karachi on February 19. They play Bangladesh next on February 24 in Rawalpindi followed by their final group match against India in Dubai.
