Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand Lose Pacer Just Days Before Tournament, Jacob Duffy Drafted in as Replacement

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New Zealand have been forced into making a change to their Champions Trophy 2025 squad just days before the tournament gets underway in Karachi after pacer Ben Sears was ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

Black Caps, who are already sweating on the fitness of all-rounder Rachin Ravindra and pacer Lockie Ferguson, on Friday (February 14) drafted in Jacob Duffy from the reserves as a late-replacement for Sears.

Duffy, having made just 10 appearances for New Zealand in the 50-over format since his debut in July 2022, has picked up 18 scalps so far in his One Day International career at an average of 25.94 and economy of 6.25.

The 30-year-old last played for the Black Caps in early January, taking two wickets while conceding 30 runs in an ODI against Sri Lanka in Hamilton. He was already part of the travelling group in Pakistan and is in line to play the Tri-Series final against Pakistan on Friday (February 14).

Head coach Gary Stead said the news is disappointing for Sears, who was set to play his first big ICC event, but believes New Zealand have a strong replacement in Duffy to come into the squad.

"We're all really feeling for Ben," Stead was quoted as saying on New Zealand Cricket. "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."

"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," added Stead.

Duffy will join Ferguson, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith and Will O'Rourke to form the pace bowling department in the Mitchell Santner-led side. Here is a look at the updated squad of New Zealand for the Champions Trophy:

New Zealand Champions Trophy 2025 Squad

Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Jacob Duffy.

Santner & Co will be in action against Pakistan in the Tri-Series Final on Friday (February 14) at the National Stadium in Karachi, where the two sides will clash again five days later on Wednesday (February 19) in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener.