New Zealand names Champions Trophy squad: Santner to captain the Blackcaps; Pace trio gets maiden call-up for ICC event
New Zealand names Champions Trophy squad: Santner to captain the Blackcaps; Pace trio gets maiden call-up for ICC event
Three pacers in Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears and Nathan Smith have been handed their maiden senior call-up for an ICC tournament as New Zealand announced its squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy edition.
The Blackcaps are set to depart for Pakistan on February 3 to play a tri-series against CT host Pakistan and South Africa before the ICC event, which begins from February 19.
Pacer Jacob Duffy was named as a stand-by, should Lockie Ferguson become unavailable because of ILT20 play-off commitments.
“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,” head coach Gary Stead said.
“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,” he added.
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
Stand-by: Jacob Duffy
