Pace trio named in Black Caps squad for tilt at Champions Trophy

Pace bowlers Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears and Nathan Smith have been named in New Zealand’s Champions Trophy squad for the tournament in Pakistan and UAE which starts next month.

It is the first time the trio will contest a senior ICC event.

O’Rourke and Smith were members of the Black Caps team which beat Sri Lanka in the recent ODI series – finishing with a defeat at Eden Park yesterday – but Sears is returning from injury.

A knee injury kept him out of November’s Test series in India – won three-nil by the Black Caps – and he returned to cricket in the Wellington Firebirds’ Super Smash defeat to the Central Stags on Thursday.

He was a travelling reserve for last year’s ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.

Mark Chapman has been included in the 15-man squad after his 81 against Sri Lanka yesterday in a heavy defeat, along with the experienced Kane Williamson, who last played an ODI in November, 2023.

Chapman got to his total at a run a ball and was easily the top scorer for the match which the Black Caps lost by 140 runs. The next best in New Zealand's line-up was Nathan Smith's 17.

Wicketkeeper Tom Latham, struggling for form, has also been included. Mitchell Santner will captain the team.

“ICC tournaments represent the pinnacle of our game and it’s a huge honour to be picked to represent your country at them,” head coach Gary Stead said.

“I’d especially like to acknowledge Ben, Nathan and Will who will be attending their first senior ICC events and I know they’re really excited to do so.

“Although the Champions Trophy hasn’t been played for a few years, the team is well aware of the history of the tournament and the fact New Zealand were the first winners of the tournament in 2000, when it was known as the ICC KnockOut Trophy.

“The team and support staff are really looking forward to representing New Zealand and our fans on the big stage and giving it our all to make them proud.”

Santner is selected as the frontline spin option, alongside all-rounders Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra.

Santner, Williamson and Latham were all part of the Black Caps squad for the last edition of the Champions Trophy in England and Wales in 2017, while Williamson also featured at the 2013 edition.

Matt Henry will spearhead the pace bowling attack which is further bolstered by the experienced Lockie Ferguson.

Ravindra, Devon Conway and Will Young are selected as the top-order batting options.

Pace bowler Jacob Duffy has been named as the squad’s stand-by player, to be included should Ferguson become unavailable because of ILT20 play-off commitments.

The Black Caps, who have reached the semifinal or further in four out of their last five major ICC events, have been drawn in Group A of the Champions Trophy alongside hosts Pakistan, and Bangladesh and India, with only two sides able to progress.

“It’s going to be a great occasion opening the tournament against hosts in Pakistan in Karachi and we can’t wait to get over there and get stuck in,” Stead said.

The Black Caps begin their preparations for the Champions Trophy with a warm-up Tri-Series against Pakistan and South Africa in Karachi and Lahore, before an ICC warm-up match against Afghanistan in Karachi.

The Champions Trophy campaign gets under way with the opening match of the tournament against Pakistan in Karachi on February 19.

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).

Saturday 8 February – Pakistan v Black Caps – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Monday 10 February – Black Caps v South Africa – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Friday 14 February – Tri-Series Final – National Stadium, Karachi

Sunday 16 February – Black Caps v Afghanistan – National Stadium, Karachi

Wednesday 19 February, 10:00pm NZT – Black Caps v Pakistan – National Stadium Karachi

Monday 24 February, 10:00pm NZT – Bangladesh v BLACKCAPS – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Sunday 2 March, 10:00pm NZT – BLACKCAPS v India – Dubai International Stadium

Tuesday 4 March, 10:00pm NZT – 1st Semi-Final – Dubai International Stadium

Wednesday 5 March, 10:00pm NZT – 2nd Semi-Final – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Sunday 9 March, 10:00pm NZT – Final – TBC