New Zealand announced their 15-member squad led by Mitchell Santner earlier today (January 12), picking five fast bowlers including all-rounder Nathan Smith. The squad also has multiple spin-bowling options, all of whom are more than handy with the bat.

While there's no big surprises in selection, the absence of seamer Jacob Duffy from the main squad is eye-catching. Duffy, who made his international debut in 2020, has been picked as a reserve player. Albeit slightly expensive, the tall right-arm quick is a wicket-taker, as his 18 wickets in 10 ODIs at 25.94 and 6.25 suggest. In T20Is, he has been more economical, picking 19 wickets conceding 7.25 runs per over across 18 games.

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Duffy has been in good form of late. He made a comeback to the New Zealand ODI XI during their away tour of Sri Lanka last November and has played four games since, picking seven wickets at 20.85. In the shortest format, Duffy has been even better, picking eight wickets in his last four outings at an economy of 5.93 since November 2024.

Ben Sears over Jacob Duffy

However, New Zealand have opted for the 26-year-old Ben Sears as the fourth seamer alongside Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and Will O'Rourke. Sears is uncapped in the 50-over format and has played 17 T20Is and one Test. His overall T20I record is very similar to Duffy's, having picked 19 wickets at 8.15 runs per over across 17 games.

Sears' last international outing came in April last year in a T20I series in Pakistan after which he was sidelined for an extended period due to a knee injury. Now fit, New Zealand have backed him over Duffy, the more experienced and in-form pacer in the format.

The rest of the squad bears a settled look, with a lot of experienced players in the form of Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, and Devon Conway in the side.

New Zealand begin their Champions Trophy campaign on February 19 against hosts Pakistan in Karachi. India and Bangladesh are the other two teams in their group.

New Zealand squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Batters

Kane Williamson, Will Young, Mark Chapman

Wicketkeepers

Tom Latham, Devon Conway

All-rounders

Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Mitchell Santner (c), Glenn Phillips

Bowlers

Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears, Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke

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