New Zealand Announce 15-Man Squad for Champions Trophy 2025, Santner to Lead

New Zealand has named its 15-man squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy to be hosted in Pakistan and the UAE. The team will be led by all-rounder Mitchell Santner, team has a good balance of experience and talent.

One of the changes is the inclusion of Ben Sears who replaced Jacob Duffy in the final squad. He made a good impression to the selectors in his recent Super Smash T20 match. He has been out of the game for most of the season after being sidelined by a knee injury but is now given the opportunity to play in an ICC tournament, not having played in the T20 World Cup 2024 reserve. Sears joins seamers Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith, experience in the pace attack being provided by Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson. Duffy is a reserve player for the squad despite his recent success in white-ball cricket.

Batting Lineup Packed with Experience and Form

For the spin bowling department of the team, captain Santner will also lead Michael Glenn Bracewell, Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra as a part-time option. Rangana Herath, a former Sri Lankan spinner has been appointed as a specialist spin coach for the tournament. Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, and Will Young’s good form has made him a contender to open alongside Ravindra in the batting lineup. The squad is fit for the conditions expected in Pakistan and the UAE and is New Zealand’s strategy.

Due to the amount of talent available, Coach Gary Stead stated that it has been a hard process in selecting the squad. “This group gives us the best chance to perform well in challenging conditions,” he said.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 marks the return of the tournament after an eight-year gap, and it comprises the top eight ODI teams. The co-hosts Pakistan and New Zealand, who last won the trophy in 2000 will start their campaign on February 19. From the group stage, the top two teams, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and India will move on to the semifinals.

The series will begin with a tri-series in Lahore from February 8 with Pakistan and South Africa and the team will leave for Pakistan on February 3.

New Zealand’s Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

New Zealand's Tri-Series 2025 Schedule

New Zealand's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule